Bolt anchors Jamaica to world record
LONDON, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt, the two fastest men on the planet, brought Jamaica a world record Saturday in winning the Olympic 400-meter relay.
Four humans combined to circle a 400-meter track faster than any group ever has before in a dazzling display that put Bolt in the record book on the final night of competition at Olympic Stadium.
Nesta Carter and Michael Frater led off the relay and when Blake took the baton from Frater the Jamaicans were trailing the United States.
Blake, runner-up to Bolt in both the 100 and 200-meter events earlier in the Games, brought the Jamaicans even heading into the last leg. Bolt then easily held off a spirited effort from American Ryan Bailey to win the race in 36.84 -- an almost unthinkable time.
That broke the world mark of 37.04 set last year by Jamaica at the world championships. The Americans equaled that old record in running second behind the Jamaicans on Saturday.
Bolt completed his 2012 Olympic experience with six career victories. He has won gold in the 100, 200 and sprint relay in consecutive Games, something no one had ever done before.
U.S. women coast to gold in basketball
LONDON, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Candace Parker's 21 points and a smothering defensive effort Saturday brought the United States Olympic basketball gold in an 86-50 win over France.
The French had marched through group play unbeaten, but found it difficult to get off a shot against the Americans -- much less score.
The Americans held France to 18 field goals and to 28 percent shooting from the field. They turned the game into a rout by outscoring the French 26-12 in the third quarter.
It was the fifth consecutive gold medal for the American women and their seventh Olympic championship in the last eight Games. Their winning streak going into the Rio de Janeiro Olympics will be 41.
Every American player scored at least three points, but only Parker and Sue Bird reached double figures. Bird finished with 11.
The silver medal showing was the best ever for France.
Australia, which lost to France in group play, wound up with the bronze medal by defeating Russia 83-74 in the third-place game.
The Australians had lost to the United States in the gold medal game at each of the last three Olympics.
Brazil rallies by U.S. in volleyball final
LONDON, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Jaqueline Carvalho delivered 18 points Saturday in rallying Brazil to a four-sets win over the United States in the Olympic volleyball title game.
The Americans stormed to a 25-11 win in the first set and it appeared they were on their way to what would have been their first Olympic gold medal.
Brazil then rolled the rest of the way, capturing the final three sets 25-17, 25-20, 25-17.
The Brazilians repeated as Olympic champions, defeating Team USA in the finals both times. Cuba and the Soviet Union have been the only other repeat champions.
Sheilla Castro added 15 points and Fabiana Claudino had 14 for Brazil. American Destinee Hooker converted just 13 of her 33 spike chances.
The United States had defeated the Brazilians in four sets during group play.
"We did start well, but then we saw Brazil growing and growing in confidence," U.S. Coach Hugh McCutcheon said. "They established a good foothold. Once you start playing catch-up and reacting you are in difficulties."
The bronze medal went to Japan, which defeated South Korea in three sets to capture the third-place game.
Mexico stuns Brazil for Olympic gold
LONDON, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Oribe Peralta scored the first of his two goals only 29 seconds into the match Saturday, igniting Mexico to a 2-1 win over Brazil for the Olympic gold medal.
The unexpected result denied Brazil what would have been the first Olympic soccer championship for a country that has won everything else in the sport.
It was the third silver medal at the Olympics to go with two bronze ones for Brazil. A gold finally seemed likely this year, especially after Spain was eliminated before the knockout round began.
It was a massive win for Mexico, a nation that shares passion for the game with Brazil but has always had to live in the Brazilians' shadow on the international stage.
