Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone vs. Femke Bol - A Last Dance?

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👋 Hey Team USA Fans!

Bonjour! In today’s EssentiallySports Daily newsletter, we will dive in on some of the emotional, competitive, and savage moments that have conspired against Team USA. Starting with Sydney McLaughlin Levrone and her plea to face Dutch phenom, Femke Bol for another heated race at the 4x400m relay and chase for a gold. Whereas, Gabby Thomas has earned two golds and nearly millions thanks to them. How? Well, although the Olympics doesn’t give the athletes a lucrative, there are many others who were up to offer it.

Next in line is our exclusive with Evita Griskenas! Although the 23-year-old faced a disheartening ending to the Paris Olympics, she was more grateful to share an emotional moment with her family. Lastly, Noah Lyles had withdrawn from the Paris Olympics, but the 27-year-old is still a target. First, it was Letsile Tebogo, and now Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a jab at him. Catch up with the drama from Tracks and Field in today's exciting edition!

🥇MEDAL COUNT

Keeping the golden throne!

🙌 HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY

Sydney Mclaughlin vs Femke - A Last Dance?

Well, breaking your own record six times and getting the gold medal in consecutive Olympics is a remarkable feat for any sprinter. And that’s just what Sydney McLaughlin Levrone did at the Paris Games! The doyenne was bejeweled with her third Olympic gold as she dusted her biggest challenger, Femke Bol, on the purple tracks. McLaughlin clocked in at 50.37, setting a new world record for 400m. On the other hand, Bol was 2 seconds off and had to settle for another bronze. Interestingly, it may not be the last dance of the two at the French capital as the American athlete has given a call to USTAF eyeing the 4x400m Relay. 

Three years ago, McLaughlin was part of Team USA as they won the gold at the Tokyo Olympics 4x400m Relay. But this time, McLaughlin didn't make the four women roster, yet told USATF, “I’m always here if they need me.” If they hear the request, the 25-year-old will face the Dutch phenom Bol again, who has sprinted her country to the gold medal at the 4x400m Mixed Relay. Bol vs McLaughlin might still be the possibility as the latter aims to shatter her dominance in the relay and reclaim the gold glory. 

Dive Deeper: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Sends a Message to USATF to End Femke Bol’s Dominance at Paris Olympics

📊 POLL OF THE DAY

🌟 ES EXCLUSIVE

Evita Griskenas Reveals Emotional Paris Olympics Moment

If Hustle was a person, it would be Evita Griskenas! The 23-year-old from Oakland Park had a tumultuous past year. Struggling with a foot injury, and juggling between training in Chicago and studying at Columbia University in New York, Griskenas was living a hectic schedule. Yet with all that came her way, the rhythmic gymnast made it to the Paris Games and made her family proud. She garnered 118.500 points at Porte de La Chapelle Arena and finished 18th to face a disappointing loss. But Griskenas was still delighted with her performance, remaining in the top 20 in the world. Through all the ups and downs, the 23-year-old’s family was the anchor she had. They also became part of Griskenas's favorite moment while competing.

Our on-site correspondent at the Paris Olympics caught up with the rising American gymnast and asked about the same. She gleefully narrated, “Hugging my family after. I mean, I ran out, and I just hugged them and started crying. My mom was like, ‘Don’t cry,’ and I was like, ‘But I love you guys!’ So, so excited to give them that big hug.” The family couldn’t be there in Tokyo, but accompanying Griskenas in Paris gave them the ultimate Olympic experience. Maybe next time in LA, they will also enjoy her winning a gold medal!

Dive Deeper: “Started Crying”: Evita Griskenas Reveals Emotional Moment After Disappointing Paris Olympics Loss (Exclusive)

😎 HERO OF THE DAY

Gabby Thomas Almost $500K Richer

Gabby Thomas has some big bucks coming her way after winning gold in the 200m at the French capital. As she dazzled through the purple tracks, Thomas became the only woman since Allyson Felix (2012 London Games) to win a gold medal for Team USA at the Olympics. But that is not all. After the 4x100 m relay, Thomas will probably earn nearly $250K as Team USA bagged the gold medal and that amount might just escalate to give her a check of nearly $500K.

How so? Well, the first check of $25,000 each will be presented by Shannon Sharpe and Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, the hosts of the Nightcap podcast for winning the gold medal. Then, she might be up for another $50,000 if the women’s team breaks the world record at the 4x100m relay. That was posted by Thomas herself as she challenged the host to “open up your wallet a little bit” to encourage the track athletes to break the record.

Furthermore, being an Athlos athlete, Alexis Ohanian promised $60,000 to every gold medalist, with $37,500 from USOPC and $50,000 from World Athletics. Remember, Thomas had already clinched a gold medal, and the lucrative rewards. With another gold added to her shining portfolio, the incentive has only doubled in numbers. 

Dive Deeper: “Open Up Your Wallets”: Gabby Thomas Fires at NFL Legend to Stand on Bold Claim for Paris Olympics

Trudeau Unhappy With Lyles' Resurfaced Comment

Shots have been fired and this time by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Noah Lyles became the prey to Letsile Tebogo’s savage words just 24 hours ago, and now Trudeau has rubbed salt in his wounds. Going a year back at the 2023 World Relays, Lyles was asked if he saw the Canadians as a threat. Sarcastically, the 27-year-old replied twice while laughing and said, “Who? Who?” However, at the Paris Olympics, the scenario has shifted. Unfortunately, Lyles had to withdraw from the Paris Games after being diagnosed positive for COVID-19. On top of that, team USA was disqualified from the 4x100m relay, violating the TR24.7 rule (passing the baton early or late outside the takeover zone). But Canada won gold!

Thus, it was quite a disappointing day for the USA fans, and PM Trudeau didn’t miss a chance to take a dig! He reposted the video where Lyles couldn’t recognize the Canadian team and captioned it, “Sorry 👀🥇.” 

Dive Deeper: Suffering Noah Lyles Gets Hate From Canada PM Over Controversial Track & Field Comment in 2023

📝 STORIES YOU SHOULDN’T MISS!

1. “Did What Sha’Carri (Richardson) Do”: Relay Teammate Confirms Reason for Paris Olympics Gold Win- Full Story

2. Misplacing Paris Olympics Medal, Spencer Lee Reveals Feelings Over Heartbreaking Loss: "I Go and I Fail"- Full Story

3. Shericka Jackson Breaks Silence After Quitting on Jamaica at Paris Olympics: “I Was Hopeful”- Full Story

4. How Are Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, and Other Legends Spending Time During the Paris Olympics?- Full Story

Paris Olympics Live: Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Swimming, Athletics and More Team USA Updates

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