While you were sleeping: 5 things to know after Zheng’s Olympic gold and Ledecky’s ninth
- Sha’Carri Richardson is denied in 100 metres final, while an Irish gymnast makes this his nation’s most successful Games ever
A highlight of day eight was always going to be Zheng Qinwen’s attempt to win China’s first Olympic gold in singles tennis.
She managed it, beating Donna Vekic of Croatia 6-2, 6-3 in Saturday’s final in Paris around the time many people in her homeland’s time zone were hitting the hay.
But what those back in China probably did not see or hear was her message later as she reflected on the achievement, which is where we shall start in recapping events overnight.
Around the time Zheng spoke, there were also seismic events in the Stade de France, La Defense Arena and the Bercy Arena.
Here’s what you missed if you slept through it.
Zheng follows Li
Before Paris, the Chinese player who went closest to winning an Olympic singles medal was Li Na – like Zheng, a Hubei native, and a role model to her. Now Zheng is promising to carry the torch.