USA women dominate gymnastics all-around team final

The USA women’s gymnastics team has been almost untouchable in recent years, but they put an exclamation point on their reign of dominance on Tuesday night. The Americans took gold in the team all-around with a score of 184.897, a clear 8.209 points ahead of second-place Russia. In the men’s competition, Japan grabbed gold, followed by Russia and China.

Underdogs have their day in men’s rugby

The opening day of the men’s rugby action saw a stunning upset, as Japan opened with a 14-12 win over New Zealand. The All Blacks also lost star Sonny Bill Williams for the tournament after he suffered an ankle injury during the match. Brazil nearly pulled off it’s own stunner, going up by five early over favourites Fiji before falling 40–12.

Members of Japan's men's rugby seven team celebrate their 14–12 upset win over New Zealand on Tuesday. (Photo: Getty Images/David Rogers)

Fans add to rugby atmosphere with crazy costumes

The best of the action surrounding the rugby sevens competition wasn’t just on the pitch. Fans in the stands stole the show with crazy and creative outfits. Plus, who doesn’t love Matthew McConaughey. Fans from big and small rugby nations were in full voice as some of the sport's biggest stars played on the first day of the men's tournament

Great Britain rugby fans show their loyalty to the Royal Family at Deodoro Stadium (Rio 2016/Gabriel Nascimento)

Brazil beats Spain at the buzzer

Entering the fourth quarter with a six-point lead, the Brazilian men’s basketball team looked to be headed towards a win over Spain. But the Spanish side had other ideas, closing the gap and eventually taking a 64–63 lead with 2:12 remaining. With time running down, Marcus Vinicius Marquinhos tipped in a miss shot to lift the hosts to a 66-65 win. Cue pandemonium in the stands.

Refugee swimmer wins over crowd

Rami Anis finished his 100m freestyle heat in sixth, well out of qualifying positions, but that didn’t keep the crowd from giving him a warm ovation as he walked off the pool deck. Anis, from Aleppo, Syria, is competing as a member of the first refugee team. He’ll race in the 100m backstroke on Thursday. He said he hopes to meet his idol, Michael Phelps, at some point before the Games are finished.

Rami Anis​ of the Olympic Refugee Team (Photo: Getty Images/Clive Rose)

Brazil, United States and Canada win their groups in women's football

Tuesday was judgment day in the women’s football competition. Canada took down Germany to win Group F, while Australia played its way into the knockout round with a 6–1 win over Zimbabwe. The United States managed a 2–2 draw with Colombia to top Group G. And, Brazil topped Group E after a 0-0 draw with South Africa, and China advanced. Here’s what Friday’s quarterfinal match ups look like: Brazil vs. Australia, United States vs. Sweden, Canada vs. France, Germany vs. China.

Serena falls, Nadal advances

The shocks kept coming in tennis, as world no.1 Serena Williams fell in two sets against Elina Svitolina, leaving the women’s single bracket wide open. Rafael Nadal, however, had no such issues. He dispatched Andreas Seppi in straight sets in his second round match.

France’s golden day

France had to wait three full days to earn its first gold medal at Rio 2016, and then they promptly grabbed a second. The French clinched the equestrian eventing team gold early in the day, and then Denis Gargaud Chanut won gold in the canoe slalom single. France ended the day with five total medals.

Majestic Phelps just keeps amazing us

The American swimming legend won his 20th and 21st Olympic gold medals and avenged his London 2012 defeat by Chad le Clos in the 200m butterfly – not a bad night’s work.

Phelps celebrates victory in the 200m butterfly (Photo: Getty Images/Adam Pretty)