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France, led by the towering Victor Wembanyama, are aiming to dethrone the mighty USA in the Olympic basketball final on Saturday as track and field wraps up in Paris. The women's golf tournament comes to a close, with two-time medallist Lydia Ko and Switzerland's Morgane Metraux in pole position, while the US take on Marta's Brazil in the women's football final.The star-studded US basketball team, led by LeBron James and Stephen Curry, were made to sweat by Serbia in Thursday's semi-final before an exhilarating fourth-quarter comeback, with Curry scoring 36 points. The four-time defending champions will be favourites to beat France in a repeat of the gold medal match at the Tokyo Games in 2021.But James, going for his third Olympic gold, knows it is unlikely to get any easier against the host nation, who can boast NBA Rookie of the Year Wembanyama. "Super competitive. Obviously, this is Wemby's (Wembanyama's) first Olympics, but that team has been playing together for quite a while," he said. "They've been feeding off the crowd, so we look forward to that match-up."Eight golds are on offer on the final night of track and field action at the Stade de France, while the men's marathon winds its way through the streets of Paris. Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi shared high jump gold in one of the most memorable moments of the Tokyo Games. But this time both come into the competition with questions over their fitness.Tamberi was pictured in hospital this week having cited a high temperature and kidney pain, while Barshim appeared to injure his left calf during qualifying. Reigning world champion Tamberi, who has jumped a highest of 2.37 metres in 2024, wants his rival alongside him. "I hope he will be fine by Saturday," said the Italian. "I need him on the field. I have to be fit myself but I want him to be there in the competition."The Stade de France will also witness the men's 800m and 5,000m finals and the women's 100m hurdles and 1,500m finals, with the 4x400m relays closing the show. Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge is aiming to become the first athlete to win three back-to-back Olympic marathon titles but faces stiff competition, including from compatriot Benson Kipruto and Uganda's world champion Victor Kiplangat.The US football team won four of the first five Olympic women's titles after the competition was introduced in 1996 but have not taken gold since the London 2012 Games. The team are resurgent under new coach Emma Hayes, the English coach who won a stack of medals during her time as Chelsea boss. They have been inspired on their way to the final by the exciting attacking trio of Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman.The Brazilians will be attempting to make it third time lucky after losing to the same opponents in the Athens final in 2004 and in Beijing in 2008. Brazil great Marta, 38, appearing at her sixth and likely last Olympics, is hoping to sign off with gold to go with her two silver medals. "Marta has changed the game of soccer around the world," said US star Rodman of Marta, who has spent much of her club career in the United States. "She is such a talented soccer player but also a great human. I have always looked up to her. She has a legacy forever, but we want that gold."At Le Golf National, New Zealand's Ko is on nine under par with one round to go, level with 137th-ranked Metraux, who finished her round in dramatic fashion with an eagle at the 18th. China are chasing one more diving gold to complete a clean sweep of eight, with the men's 10m platform rounding off the competition.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who has been at the center of an Olympic gender eligibility controversy, will compete for gold in Paris on Friday. The boxing competition has been overshadowed by a dispute over whether Khelif and Taiwanese fighter Lin Yu-ting should be allowed to compete in the women's category.Khelif and Lin were disqualified from last year's world championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after failing unspecified gender eligibility tests. However, they were cleared to compete in Paris by the International Olympic Committee, which is running the boxing competition in the French capital.The 25-year-old Khelif and Lin both fought at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago without controversy. On Friday, Khelif will face China's Yang Liu in the 66kg final, while Lin will compete in a different weight category on Saturday.The penultimate evening of track and field action features the men's and women's 4x100m relays, the men's 400m hurdles, the women's 400m, and the final event of the heptathlon, the 800m.US sprint star Noah Lyles, who won the 100m earlier this week, could only manage bronze in his favored 200m on Thursday. Minutes after the race, won by Botswana's Letsile Tebogo, Lyles revealed he had tested positive for COVID-19. The American later posted on social media that his Games were likely over.In Friday's women's 10,000m final, Dutch runner Sifan Hassan will attempt to defend her crown after coming up short in her bid for a historic long-distance treble. Defending champion and world record-holder Karsten Warholm is favored to defend his title in the men's 400m hurdles.In football, Thierry Henry's France will take on Spain in the men's final at the Parc des Princes. Henry, one of France's all-time great players, has led his country to the brink of their second football gold, 40 years after they won the title in Los Angeles.Spain came from behind to beat Morocco 2-1 in their semi-final in Marseille, giving them confidence that they can handle the pressure in the French capital.In diving, China is targeting gold in the women's 3m springboard as they close in on a clean sweep in Paris, with victories in all six events so far. Defending champions the Netherlands will take on China in the women's hockey final, chasing their fourth title in five Games.History will be made when the first Olympic medals are won in the breaking competition staged at La Concorde.

Saint Lucia's Julien Alfred is poised to make history on Tuesday as she aims for an Olympic sprint double in the 200m, following her triumph in the 100m. The tiny Caribbean island nation has never had an Olympic medalist before Alfred's groundbreaking victory.Alfred's quest for a double mirrors that of Jamaica's Elaine Thompson-Herah, who achieved the feat at the 2016 and 2021 Olympics. Alfred faces stiff competition from US sprinter Gabrielle Thomas, who boasts the world's fastest time this year.Meanwhile, the men's 1500m promises a thrilling showdown between Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Great Britain's Josh Kerr. Ingebrigtsen has been critical of Kerr's absence from certain events, while Kerr has vowed to prove his worth on the track.In boxing, Algeria's Imane Khelif is at the center of a gender controversy after being disqualified from last year's world championships. However, the IOC has cleared her to compete in Paris, where she is guaranteed at least a bronze medal.The women's football competition is heating up, with World Cup holders Spain and four-time gold medalists the United States on course for a potential final showdown. Spain faces Brazil in the semifinals, while the rejuvenated USA under new coach Emma Hayes takes on Germany.Track cycling powerhouse Great Britain has already secured gold in the women's team sprint and will seek to repeat their success in the men's event. China's divers are also aiming for a fifth gold in the women's 10m platform.In surfing, France's Kauli Vaast and the United States' Caroline Marks have already claimed gold medals in the men's and women's events, respectively. The USA now leads the overall medal table with 21 golds, ahead of China.

Bollywood Stars Who Traded Sports for StardomIn a recent interview, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan revealed his past as a tennis enthusiast. The actor, who was once a part of the Maharashtra State Championship, had to give up the sport at his father's request. This revelation has shed light on the hidden athleticism of many Bollywood celebrities who once pursued professional sports before embracing the world of cinema.Deepika Padukone: Badminton ProdigyDeepika Padukone, known for her roles in films like "Piku" and "Padmaavat," was a national-level badminton player under the guidance of her father, Prakash Padukone, a badminton legend. She gave up the sport at age 16 to pursue modeling and acting.John Abraham: Football StarJohn Abraham, who will soon be seen in "Vedaa," was a professional football player in his youth. He played as a center forward in the Indian A-Division. His passion for football continues through his co-ownership of NorthEast United FC, a team that is making waves in Indian football.Saqib Saleem: Cricket AspirantSaqib Saleem, known for his role in "83," played cricket until he was 20. He aspired to play for the Indian national team but couldn't fulfill his dream. However, he got to live it out on screen in the film.Aparshakti Khurana: Cricket CaptainAparshakti Khurana, who has starred in films like "Stree" and "Luka Chuppi," was the captain of the Haryana Under-19 cricket team before becoming an actor.Rahul Bose: Rugby RepresentativeRahul Bose, known for his roles in "Midnight's Children" and "Bulbbul," represented India in rugby for 11 years. He is now the President of the Indian Rugby Football Union.These actors have demonstrated that athleticism and artistic talent can coexist. They have left a mark not only on the big screen but also on the playing field, inspiring others to pursue their passions in both sports and entertainment.