Hi there! I’m Holly Galvan Posey, your guide to all things Olympics at KPRC 2.

Welcome to today’s Olympic newsletter! We’re diving into the biggest stories from Paris, including the financial struggles of American athletes, the complexity of sex eligibility rules, and the record-breaking performances in track cycling. Get ready for an exciting mix of updates, highlights, and must-watch moments from the Games.

Top Olympic headlines

Many American athletes and their families resorted to GoFundMe to make it to Paris Olympics

Many American athletes turned to crowdfunding to afford their journey to the Paris Olympics. Several athletes, including discus thrower Veronica Fraley, badminton player Jennie Gai, and table tennis player Kanak Jha, raised significant amounts on GoFundMe to cover training, travel, and accommodation costs. This trend highlights the financial challenges many Olympians face, relying on public support to pursue their dreams on the global stage.

Sex eligibility rules for female athletes are complex and legally difficult. Here’s how they work

Drafting and enforcing sex eligibility rules for female athletes is complex and often legally challenging. The criteria focus on testosterone levels rather than chromosomes, aiming to balance inclusion and fairness in sports. However, these regulations can expose athletes to scrutiny and controversy, as seen with cases like Caster Semenya, who has challenged such rules for years. Governing bodies, including the IOC, provide frameworks but leave specific rules to individual sports organizations, leading to varying standards and enforcement practices.

World records are getting shattered in cycling at the Olympic velodrome. There are a few reasons why

World records are being shattered in track cycling at the Paris Olympics due to a combination of factors: the unique dimensions and smooth transitions of the velodrome, meticulous maintenance of the track surface, advanced and costly bike technology, and the searing heat inside the velodrome, which reduces air resistance. These elements together create the perfect conditions for cyclists to achieve record-breaking performances.

Watch the thrills 🎥

What’s better than reading about the Olympics? Watching the highlights! Check out these videos showcasing the top moments and news from the Games.

• Gabby Thomas led from start to finish in the women’s 200m final, earning her first Olympic gold medal on Tuesday night at Stade de France. U.S. teammate Brittany Brown secured the bronze, while Julien Alfred took silver.
• Canadian Camryn Rogers won gold and American Annette Echikunwoke claimed silver in the women’s hammer final, marking the first-ever medal for the U.S. in the event.
• Top-ranked Americans Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes were upset by Swiss duo Nina Brunner and Tanja Huberli in straight sets, eliminating them from the Olympic women’s beach volleyball tournament.
• Check out the full highlights of LeBron James as he plays a key role in Team USA’s victory over Brazil in the Olympic basketball quarterfinals.
• Team USA’s 20-year-old Amit Elor made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by becoming the youngest American wrestler to win Olympic gold, defeating Kyrgyzstan’s Meerim Zhumanazarova in the final.

What you need 2 know 💡

Olympic livestreams for Friday: Go Team USA!

First Afghan woman to compete internationally after Taliban takeover seeks Olympic gold in Paris

Team USA

Sophia Smith’s extra-time goal sends USWNT into the Olympic final with a 1-0 win over Germany

Sophia Smith’s extra-time goal secured a 1-0 victory for the USWNT against Germany, propelling them into the Olympic final. The intense match, held at Lyon Stadium, saw Smith outmaneuver the German defense to score. The U.S. will now face Brazil in the gold medal match on Saturday, aiming for their fifth Olympic title. Despite Germany’s strong defense, Smith’s decisive goal and Alyssa Naeher’s critical save ensured the American team’s advancement.

Today’s events to watch

• 5:00 a.m. - Noon Best of Paris
  
• 6:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Gold Zone: Day 14
  
• 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Diving: Women’s 3m Springboard Final
  
• 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Soccer: Women’s Bronze Final: Spain vs. Germany
  
• 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Table Tennis: Men’s Team: Gold Final
  
• 11:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Cycling Track: M Indiv. Sprint, W Madison Finals
  
• Noon - 7:00 p.m. Best of Paris
  
• 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Breaking: Women’s Final
  
• 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Track & Field: Main (Finals): Heptathlon 800m, M 400mH & more
  
• 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Beach Volleyball: Women’s Gold Final
  
• 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Primetime in Paris

In case you missed it 👀

‘It was a good run’: Simone Biles talks about how Houston has made her a better gymnast following Paris Olympics

Simone Biles reflected on her journey at the Paris Olympics and how Houston has shaped her as a gymnast. Proud of her achievements, including three gold medals, she emphasized the supportive culture of Houston, noting how its vibrant community has been instrumental in her success. Biles expressed gratitude for the city’s influence, saying it made her a better gymnast and brought a sense of unity and encouragement from fellow Houstonians.

Israeli athletes receive threats in Paris as tensions simmer over Gaza

Israeli athletes have received threats at the Paris Olympics amid heightened tensions over the Gaza conflict. Yael Arad, president of the Israeli National Olympic Committee, stated that these threats are intended to create psychological terror. Paris prosecutors have opened investigations into death threats and the online leak of Israeli athletes’ personal data. Despite the political backdrop, Israeli gold medalist windsurfer Tom Reuveny emphasized that politics should not interfere with the Olympics