The American men’s basketball team defeated France 98-87 to earn their fifth straight gold medal, as predicted. There was no “Miracle on the Seine” in the Paris Olympics today.
LeBron James, the “King,” and Stephen Curry, the American performers, stole the show from the French sports fans at the Bercy Arena. James was dressed in sparkly golden trainers to commemorate the event.
The outcome was the same as in the Olympic gold medal game in Tokyo three years prior, but the French suffered a slightly more heartbreaking defeat because they were playing on home court in front of their home country.
On Sunday, France will have another opportunity to win gold in basketball, but the women’s team will face even greater odds against the formidable Americans, who have won eight gold medals in a row and have not lost an Olympic game since 1992.
The French faithful, led by President Emmanuel Macron, congregated at the Bercy like pilgrims to Lourdes, just downstream from Notre Dame cathedral on the banks of the Seine. They seemed to believe that anything is possible, and that was the case until the very end of an exciting final.
A gold medal game should have jaw-dropping skill, intense passion, suspense, and a hint of nastiness to add some flavour.
With a thunderous dunk to open the show, James gave the Americans complete control of the fast-paced game as they worked diligently to build a 14-point advantage in the third quarter.
But with three minutes remaining, Les Bleus, fuelled by a thunderous home crowd, made a comeback, cutting the score to 82-79. The United States would need almost all of that lead.
Then, as he had in a thrilling semifinal victory against Serbia, Curry saved the day for the United States with the audience on its feet and France about to pull off the unbelievable.
The American captain scored three long-range three-pointers in the last two minutes to relieve some of the strain on the faltering Dream Team.
James finished with 14 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds, while Curry finished with 24 points, including eight three-pointers. James was a stubborn
and scowling player.
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