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Olympics highlights: Teen athletes’ sportsmanship warm hearts


There are just four days left of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and despite the unique challenges athletes have faced this year, we’re still seeing displays of sportsmanship like never before.

Here are some of the highlights of the Games from Wednesday. 

All class from young skateboarders

Japan’s Sakura Yosozumi and Kokona Hiraki won gold and silver in the women’s park final today, with Great Britain’s Sky Brown taking bronze.

But beyond the praise for their skill, there’s been an outpouring of support from around the world for the camaraderie and sportsmanship the athletes across the park and rankings have shown each other, with the eight young competitors cheering each other on and congratulating their opponents from start to finish.

Japan’s Misugu Okamoto was a favourite for a medal going into the competition, but took a painful-looking fall on her third run, ending her podium dreams.

The 15-year-old finished fourth, but the reaction of her rivals warmed hearts around the world. Okamoto’s competitors raced over to hug and console her, before carrying her on their shoulders back to her coaches.

Australia’s Poppy Olsen became the first Aussie to make an Olympic skateboarding final, finishing fifth overall.

Two girls carry a third girl on their shoulders around a skate bowl, they are all wearing helmets and knee pads and are smiling
Sport is competitive, but these skaters can look past that.(

(Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

)

Golden duo get their win

It wasn’t unexpected, but it was still a welcome win. 

Mathew Belcher and Will Ryan claimed gold in the men’s 470 sailing class, after going into the medal race so far ahead they could only lose if they were disqualified or failed to finish. 

Sweden’s Anton Dahlberg and Fredrik Bergstrom came out on top in the battle for silver, meaning Jordi Xammar and Nicolas Rodriguez Garcia-Paz picked up the bronze for Spain.

Two Australian sailors congratulate each other during their Tokyo Olympics competition.
Australia’s water-based medal dominance continues.(

Reuters: Ivan Alvarado

)

Wu qualifies for semi-final

Melissa Wu has qualified for her fourth Olympic women’s 10m platform semi-final, making it look easy against a competitive group of 30 hopefuls. 

She will face 17 other divers from 11:00am tomorrow for a spot in the finals and what could be her first individual Olympic medal. 

Unfortunately Australian teammate Nikita Hains missed out on a semi-final spot by less than 15 points, ranking 21st in the preliminaries. 

Australian diver melissa wu holds a pike position mid-air during a 10m platform dive. water is flicking off her hair
Aussie diving fans are crossing their fingers Melissa Wu can make it to the 10m platform podium.(

Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

)



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