U.S. triumph in men's basketball, China top of medal tally

The United States beat France 98-87 to retain their men's basketball title at the Paris Olympics on Saturday while China has claimed all gold medals in table tennis and diving, reported Xinhua.

On the medal tally by the penultimate day of the Games, China stands on top with 39 gold, 27 silver, and 24 bronze medals, closely followed by the U.S. on 38-42-42.

With its star trio of Sun Yingsha, Chen Meng and Wang Manyu, China retained their women's team title after defeating Japan 3-0 in the final.

"The first doubles was crucial - it sets the tone and can boost morale for the following matches. When we were behind, we never gave up. We trusted each other, believing that we can come through," said 30-year-old Chen, who was also crowned in the women's singles event.

At Paris 2024, Chinese paddlers swept all five golds, including the men's singles, men's team, and mixed doubles as well.

For the first time at the Olympics, China seized all eight golds in diving, as Cao Yuan's victory in the men's 10m platform capped the country's perfect haul.

"I am really excited," Cao said after the achievement. "I made great efforts to recover, to think and to be in a good shape in Paris. I was just focusing on my own dives during the competition. Other athletes could not affect me. I won this event at the Tokyo Olympics, so I am confident that I have the ability to win it again."

Since Zhou Jihong took China's first-ever diving gold in the women's 10m platform at Los Angeles 1984, Chinese divers have clinched a total of 55 gold medals.

In addition, China's rhythmic gymnasts created history by winning the country's first Olympic group all-around gold medal with a total of 69.800 points, 0.950 ahead of the runner-up Israel, while Italy took bronze with 68.100 points.

This is the first time a team from outside Europe to claim gold in the rhythmic gymnastics team all-around since the event was introduced to the Olympics at Atlanta 1996.

"We have waited for a long time to win the Olympic gold. Our last group all-around medal was the silver at Beijing 2008. I am so happy that after so many years of hard work, we have finally achieved a good result," said coach Sun Dan after the final.

In the men's basketball final, Steph Curry made decisive three-pointers and scored 24 points to lead the United States to defeat France. 20-year-old Victor Wembanyama contributed 26 points but still failed to help the hosts come back.

The U.S. also won their fifth Olympic women's football gold medal after edging Brazil 1-0. Mallory Swanson scored the only goal in the 57th minute when she made a perfectly-timed run to meet a through-ball from Korbin Albert before firing home.

At Stade de France, the U.S. scooped both men's and women's 4x400m relay golds, while America's Masai Russell finished first in the women's 100m hurdles in 12.33 seconds. "It was just about remaining focused on what I could do. I just took off running, because it is literally what I imagined. I just want every young girl to understand that if you believe in yourself, there's nothing that's impossible," said the 24-year-old Russel.

On the field, Hamish Kerr secured New Zealand's first athletics gold after clearing 2.36 meters to win the men's high jump final, while Japan's Haruka Kitaguchi produced a season-best throw of 65.80m to seal the victory in the women's javelin.

Elsewhere, hosts France crushed Poland 3-0 to claim the men's volleyball title, and the women's handball gold went to Norway.

The last competition day will see the finals of multiple events, including the women's marathon, women's basketball, cycling track and weightlifting.