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The United States women's basketball team extended their unprecedented dominance at the Olympics, capturing their eighth consecutive gold medal with a thrilling 67-66 victory over France in the final of the Paris Games. This triumph marked their 10th overall Olympic title, solidifying their status as the undisputed queens of the sport.A'ja Wilson led the American charge with a game-high 21 points, while Kelsey Plum and Breanna Stewart also made significant contributions. France, buoyed by their home crowd, put up a valiant fight, with Gabby Williams scoring 18 points and Marine Fauthoux adding 15.The first quarter was a low-scoring affair, with France struggling to find their rhythm and the US holding a slim 15-9 lead. However, France rallied in the second period, tying the game at 20-20 and even taking a brief lead. The teams went into halftime deadlocked at 25-25.France continued to impress in the third quarter, opening with a 10-point run to take a 35-25 advantage. The US responded with a surge of their own, led by Wilson and Plum, and regained the lead heading into the final period.The fourth quarter was a tense battle, with both teams trading baskets. France came within one point of tying the game with just seconds remaining, but Williams' potential game-tying three-pointer was ruled to have been released from behind the three-point line, resulting in a two-point shot.Wilson and Plum sealed the victory for the US with free throws, giving them a 67-66 lead. Williams' last-gasp three-pointer fell short, and the Americans erupted in celebration.The US women's basketball team's victory was a testament to their unwavering determination and exceptional talent. They faced a tough challenge from France, but their experience and resilience proved too much to overcome. This gold medal further cements their legacy as one of the greatest teams in Olympic history.

The United States men's basketball team faced their toughest challenge yet in the Tokyo Olympics, overcoming a 17-point deficit to defeat Serbia 95-91 in a thrilling semifinal matchup. The victory keeps the Americans' hopes alive for a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal.Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry led the charge for the United States, pouring in 36 points, including five three-pointers. LeBron James, the all-time NBA scoring leader, contributed a triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.Serbia, led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, gave the Americans a run for their money. Jokic finished with 17 points and 11 assists, while Bogdan Bogdanovic added 20 points.The Serbians dominated the first half, leading by as many as 17 points in the second quarter. However, the United States chipped away at the deficit in the third quarter, thanks to back-to-back three-pointers from Curry and Jrue Holiday.In the fourth quarter, Curry hit a crucial three-pointer to give the United States their first lead since the first quarter. James followed with a driving layup, and Curry added a steal and a basket to push the lead to five.Serbia fought back, but the United States held on for the victory.In the other semifinal, France defeated reigning World Cup champions Germany 73-69. Guerschon Yabusele led France's scoring with 17 points, while Isaia Cordinier added 16. NBA rookie of the year Victor Wembanyama contributed 11 points and seven rebounds.Dennis Schroder scored 18 points for Germany, but Wagner was the only other player in double figures.France will face the United States in the gold medal game on Saturday, a rematch of the Tokyo Olympics final.

The upcoming Paris Olympics, a highly anticipated sporting event, has cast a shadow over France's financial expectations. Despite the country's rich sporting heritage and status as a popular tourist destination, the Olympics have failed to generate the anticipated surge in tourism.Hosting the Olympics has historically been a lucrative endeavor for host nations, boosting tourism and providing a financial windfall. However, France is facing a different reality. The country has invested heavily in infrastructure and security for the event, but the return on investment has been disappointing.According to a report in the Telegraph, Paris 2024 is becoming a financial burden for France. Tourism has not increased significantly, and hotel bookings, flights, and tourist advisors are reporting a decline. Air France is expected to lose €180 million in the current quarter due to reduced travel to France during the Olympics.International travelers are avoiding France during the Olympics, fearing overcrowding and inflated prices. This is a significant blow to the country's tourism industry, which has always been a major economic driver.President Emmanuel Macron's decision to host the Olympics in Paris required a massive investment of €7.5 billion. However, the expected financial benefits have not materialized. Hotel bookings are dismal, and occupancy rates are below the levels seen in July 2023. Hotel prices are also falling, indicating a lack of demand.If the current trend continues, France faces a financial crisis despite hosting one of the world's largest sporting events. The country's hopes of an economic boost from the Olympics have been dashed, leaving it with a significant financial burden.

France's dominant forward pack propelled them to a resounding 45-24 victory over Wales in the Six Nations on Sunday, keeping their hopes of a runners-up finish alive.Fly-half Thomas Ramos contributed 20 points through his boot, while scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec impressed with his performance. France's five tries to Wales' three saw them move into third place in the tournament standings, level on points with Scotland.The French bench played a crucial role in securing the victory, showcasing their depth and strength against a young and developing Wales team. Wales coach Warren Gatland acknowledged the impact of France's replacements, stating that they "had a significant impact."France captain Gregory Alldritt praised his team's forwards, emphasizing their physicality and impact in the collisions. He expressed confidence in their ability to challenge England in their upcoming match, which will determine the runners-up position behind Ireland.France coach Fabien Galthie echoed Alldritt's sentiments, highlighting the significance of the France-England rivalry and the importance of maintaining their intensity and tempo.Despite their disappointing draw with Italy, Alldritt emphasized that the team responded well against Wales. He attributed their victory to their hard work and determination to make France proud.Gatland remained optimistic despite Wales' winless record in the tournament, emphasizing the importance of embracing the challenge and giving a strong performance at home against Italy. He acknowledged the pressure and expectation surrounding the match but expressed confidence in his young players' ability to learn and improve.Italy's victory over Scotland has set up a thrilling finish to the Six Nations, with Wales facing a must-win game against the Azzurri to avoid finishing bottom. Gatland stressed the need for his team to step up and learn from their mistakes.

France's Six Nations title hopes have been extinguished after a disappointing start to the tournament. With three rounds played, the team has recorded a win, a draw, and a loss, marking the earliest exit from title contention under coach Fabien Galthié.The team's poor form has raised concerns, especially considering their strong performance at the Rugby World Cup just five months ago. Galthié has responded by making eight significant changes to the starting lineup for their upcoming match against Wales, including three debuts.Among the changes, hooker Julien Marchand, locks Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou, captain Gregory Alldritt, scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec, and wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey have been brought in. Thomas Ramos has switched to flyhalf, while Nicolas Depoortere and Léo Barré will make their test debuts in midfield and fullback, respectively.Meafou's inclusion has generated excitement among French fans. The 2.03-meter, 145-kilogram prop has been a key player for Toulouse, helping them win three Top 14s and the 2021 European Cup. He received French citizenship last November and has been training with the national team for nearly a year.Meanwhile, Wales has also struggled in the Six Nations, losing 10 of their last 11 matches. They have made several changes to their lineup, including dropping experienced centers George North and Nick Tompkins in favor of Joe Roberts and Owen Watkin. Captain Dafydd Jenkins has also been moved to the blindside flank to accommodate Will Rowlands.Despite their struggles, both teams are determined to secure a victory in their upcoming match. France will be looking to regain their form and prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with, while Wales will be desperate to avoid the wooden spoon.