AMERICAN climber Sam Watson set a world record in the Olympic men’s speed event this morning – but was unable to win gold.
The 18-year-old missed out on a spot in the final after losing to China’s Wu Peng in the semis by 0.08 seconds.
He went on to face Reza Alipour in the bronze medal race and managed to record a world record time of 4.74 seconds – 0.01 second quicker than gold medallist Veddriq Leonardo managed in the final.
Watson broke his own world record – 4.75 seconds – which was set in the previous round.
The Texas-born Olympian set his sights on a sub-five second climb before this summer’s Games even began.
Prior to this week, the feat had never been achieved at the Olympics.
Speaking to the New York Times, Watson’s dad, Ray, said: “Everything is impossible until somebody decides that it’s not.
“He just decided he was going to do it. No human being had done it — ever. And he just decided he was going to do it.
“I think that that type of determination and that belief really is just kind of intrinsic in who he is.”
Sport climbing was first introduced to the Olympics back in 2021.
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Spain’s Alberto Ginés López took gold in the men’s combined event, while Janja Garnbret of Slovenia won the women’s.
The women’s speed climbing qualifiers were delayed earlier this week due to a technical issue.
A race between Kelly Piper and Zhou Yafei was affected when one of the pressure pads – which stop the timer – stopped working.
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY
TODAY’S BRIT MEDAL HOPES
More medals to be won in the velodrome with Emma Finucane eyeing gold in the women’s keirin (4.15pm) while Ethan Hayter goes in the men’s omnium (4pm).
The 3m men’s springboard diving final could be a chance for Jack Laugher to claim a fifth Olympic medal (2pm).
World champ and Tokyo silver medallist Bradly Sinden plus London and Rio gold star Jade Jones both go in the taekwondo (from 9.55am).
BRITS TO WATCH
The heptathlon begins at 9am with Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Jade O’Dowda taking on the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200m today.
The 4x100m men’s and women’s relays start with round one this morning (from 10.10am).
And Georgia Hall and Charley Hull have their second round at the golf (from 8am),
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The men’s US basketball team face Serbia at 8pm hoping to book their place in the final.
The all-conquering Netherlands take on Germany for men’s hockey gold (6pm).
And there will be a host of athletics superstars in the finals on the track, with the men’s 200m (Noah Lyles) and men’s 110m hurdles (Grant Holloway) golds all up for grabs this evening from 7pm.
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Still time to get some beach volleyball action with the semi-finals from 4pm right by the Eiffel Tower.
Alternatively, the women’s handball semis feature Sweden vs France (3.30pm) and Norway vs Denmark (8.30pm).
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.
