2024 Olympics schedule Aug. 11: US women go for basketball gold, closing ceremony

SKATING ACADEMY IN CHESTER COUNTY ON A SCORCHING SUNDAY IN JULY. JOHNNY WEIR IS KEEPING COOL IN A SKATING RINK. THIS IS MY HAPPY PLACE. IT’S WHERE I FEEL THE MOST COMFORTABLE, WHERE I CAN REALLY, TRULY BE MYSELF. GOOD. LIZZIE, THE TWO TIME OLYMPIAN, NOW RUNS THE JOHNNY WEIR SKATING ACADEMY HERE IN DOWNINGTOWN, AN ASTON LEFT HAND LIZZIE, HE AND OTHER COACHES DO PRIVATE AND GROUP TRAINING FOR SKATERS ON ALL LEVELS. DON’T LEAD WITH THAT LEFT SHOULDER. HE’S A REALLY GOOD COACH. HE HAS VERY FUNNY. I WOULD SAY, ANALOGIES TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND LIKE WHAT HE WANTS TO DO WITH YOU, LIKE YOUR ARMS IN A JUMP. WHEN WE LAND. TWIZZLE TWIZZLE TWIZZLE. I FINALLY FELT THAT I HAD NOT ONLY THE URGE TO BE A COACH, BUT ALSO THAT I WAS, UM, I WAS WORTHY TO HELP CRAFT THE CAREERS OF YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE THIS SPORT, IT’S IT’S MEAN AS IS ANY SPORT. NAILED IT. WEIR IS A NICE GUY WHO HAS EXCELLED IN THE SPORT WITH HIS OWN UNIQUE STYLE. HE WON NATIONAL TITLES AND COMPETED IN THE 2006 AND 2010 OLYMPICS. I CAN’T IMAGINE ANYTHING EVER TOPPING THAT FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND THE FEELING OF HAVING ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK PAY OFF AND ACTUALLY MEAN SOMETHING. WEIR GREW UP HERE IN QUARRYVILLE, LANCASTER COUNTY. HE SAYS HE LEARNED TO SKATE ON A CORN FIELD THAT WAS FROZEN AT THE TIME. HE STARTED OUT AS AN EQUESTRIAN AND THEN TURNED TO FIGURE SKATING AT ABOUT AGE 12. HE CREDITS SMALL TOWN LIVING WITH HELPING HIM ACHIEVE SUCCESS. I THINK THAT GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMAGINE AND DREAM ABOUT THE GREAT BIG WORLD OUT THERE, AND WHAT YOU CAN DO IN IT. JOHNNY’S A VERY, VERY UNIQUE YOUNG MAN AND HE ALWAYS IS DRIVEN BY PASSION AND GOALS. LIKE THIS EXERCISE. THAT YOUNG MAN IS NOW 40. THE JUMP HE HAS RETIRED AS A FIGURE SKATING PERFORMER AND IS THE RARE ATHLETE WHO’S MADE A SUCCESSFUL TURN TO ENTERTAINMENT. HE AND FELLOW FIGURE SKATER TARA LIPINSKI ARE POPULAR OLYMPIC COMMENTATORS AND ANALYSTS ON NBC. OUR RAPPORT WAS INSTANT AND WE BONDED OVER REAL LIFE THINGS, NOT JUST THE WORK HIS COSTUMES OFTEN SAY AS MUCH AS HIS COMMENTS. I DEFINITELY THINK THE FASHION AND THE HAIR ARE A CHARACTER ALL ONTO THEMSELVES. THE PAIR WILL BE AT THE SUMMER GAMES IN PARIS WITH THEIR OWN TAKE ON THE CLOSING CEREMONY CLOSING CEREMONIES IS A WHOLE LOT OF FUN. IT IS THE BIG PARTY AT THE END OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES, AND IT’S A CELEBRATION OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND HAVING DREAMS COME TRUE. AND WHAT WILL HE BE WEARING TO THE PARTY? I’M WEARING AN AMERICAN DESIGNER AND MY HAIR IS GOING TO HAVE DEFINITELY A NOD TO FRANCE FRENCH HISTORY. HE SAYS THAT NOD WILL BE BIG WITH SOME EXTRA FLA

Sunday is the final day of the Paris Olympics. The day will end with the closing ceremony at Stade de France, but 14 gold medals will be decided first.Video above: Johnny Weir to commentate on Paris Olympics closing ceremonyIt begins with the women's marathon in the morning and continues with the men's handball final between Denmark and Germany. The women's volleyball final sees the Americans defending their title against first-time finalist Italy.The competition concludes with host France facing the U.S. in the women's basketball final. The Americans are trying to become the first team — in any sport — to win eight consecutive Olympic gold medals, breaking a tie with the U.S. men's program that won seven in a row from 1936-68.Here's a guide of what to look out for:The women run the Sunday marathonBreaking from tradition, the women are running the Olympic marathon on the last day instead of the men, who raced on Saturday. The marathon route has both a symbolic and historic feel since it traces the footsteps of the historic Women's March on Versailles, which took place during the French Revolution in 1789. Kenyan runners have won the past two editions. The race begins at 8 a.m. CEST (2 a.m. EDT).Breanna Stewart and USA basketball go for another goldThe French women face a tall order to win their first Olympic gold medal in basketball at 3:30 p.m. local time (9:30 a.m. EDT. They must beat Breanna Stewart and the seven-time defending champion United States at Bercy Arena. The U.S women are looking to win their 10th gold since the women's competition started at the 1976 Games. The final is a rematch from the London 2012 title showdown, which France lost. In the bronze-medal game, Belgium faces Australia.US defends a women's volleyball title, tooThe U.S. women defend their gold against Italy, which is appearing in its first final and is guaranteed a first medal. Its previous best finish was fifth. Outside hitters Myriam Sylla and Loveth Omoruyi will look to cause an upset. The match starts at 1 p.m. CEST (7 a.m. EDT)Modern pentathlon includes equestrian for the final timeThe picturesque Palace of Versailles sees the conclusion of the women's individual final at 12:40 p.m. CEST (6:40 a.m. EDT). Showjumping features at the Olympics for the last time in pentathlon before being scrapped in favor of an American Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course race. There's also fencing, swimming and a laser run — a dynamic event combining laser pistol shooting and running laps.Also of noteDenmark goes for its second Olympic title in men's handball when it faces 2016 bronze medalist Germany at Pierre Mauroy Stadium at 1:30 p.m. CEST (7:30 a.m. EDT). ... Two-time defending Olympic champion Serbia takes on 2012 champion Croatia for in water polo at 2 p.m. CEST (8 a.m. EDT). ... Track cycling concludes with the women's sprint and omnium and with the men's keirin at the record-breaking Olympic velodrome, all starting between 1:15 p.m. CEST (7:15 a.m. EDT) and 2 p.m. CEST (8 a.m. EDT).What to watch at the closing ceremonyAll eyes will be on what director Thomas Jolly has created this time after the flamboyant open-air opening ceremony. The closing ceremony features the athletes' parade and the handover of the Olympic flag to the organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. It will also include over 100 performers, acrobats, dancers and circus artists on a huge stage.The ceremony starts at 9 p.m. CEST (3 p.m. EDT).

PARIS —

Sunday is the final day of the Paris Olympics. The day will end with the closing ceremony at Stade de France, but 14 gold medals will be decided first.

Video above: Johnny Weir to commentate on Paris Olympics closing ceremony

It begins with the women's marathon in the morning and continues with the men's handball final between Denmark and Germany. The women's volleyball final sees the Americans defending their title against first-time finalist Italy.

The competition concludes with host France facing the U.S. in the women's basketball final. The Americans are trying to become the first team — in any sport — to win eight consecutive Olympic gold medals, breaking a tie with the U.S. men's program that won seven in a row from 1936-68.

Here's a guide of what to look out for:

The women run the Sunday marathon

Breaking from tradition, the women are running the Olympic marathon on the last day instead of the men, who raced on Saturday. The marathon route has both a symbolic and historic feel since it traces the footsteps of the historic Women's March on Versailles, which took place during the French Revolution in 1789. Kenyan runners have won the past two editions. The race begins at 8 a.m. CEST (2 a.m. EDT).

Breanna Stewart and USA basketball go for another gold

The French women face a tall order to win their first Olympic gold medal in basketball at 3:30 p.m. local time (9:30 a.m. EDT. They must beat Breanna Stewart and the seven-time defending champion United States at Bercy Arena. The U.S women are looking to win their 10th gold since the women's competition started at the 1976 Games. The final is a rematch from the London 2012 title showdown, which France lost. In the bronze-medal game, Belgium faces Australia.

US defends a women's volleyball title, too

The U.S. women defend their gold against Italy, which is appearing in its first final and is guaranteed a first medal. Its previous best finish was fifth. Outside hitters Myriam Sylla and Loveth Omoruyi will look to cause an upset. The match starts at 1 p.m. CEST (7 a.m. EDT)

Modern pentathlon includes equestrian for the final time

The picturesque Palace of Versailles sees the conclusion of the women's individual final at 12:40 p.m. CEST (6:40 a.m. EDT). Showjumping features at the Olympics for the last time in pentathlon before being scrapped in favor of an American Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course race. There's also fencing, swimming and a laser run — a dynamic event combining laser pistol shooting and running laps.

Also of note

Denmark goes for its second Olympic title in men's handball when it faces 2016 bronze medalist Germany at Pierre Mauroy Stadium at 1:30 p.m. CEST (7:30 a.m. EDT). ... Two-time defending Olympic champion Serbia takes on 2012 champion Croatia for in water polo at 2 p.m. CEST (8 a.m. EDT). ... Track cycling concludes with the women's sprint and omnium and with the men's keirin at the record-breaking Olympic velodrome, all starting between 1:15 p.m. CEST (7:15 a.m. EDT) and 2 p.m. CEST (8 a.m. EDT).

What to watch at the closing ceremony

All eyes will be on what director Thomas Jolly has created this time after the flamboyant open-air opening ceremony. The closing ceremony features the athletes' parade and the handover of the Olympic flag to the organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. It will also include over 100 performers, acrobats, dancers and circus artists on a huge stage.

The ceremony starts at 9 p.m. CEST (3 p.m. EDT).

2024 Olympics schedule Aug. 11: US women go for basketball gold, closing ceremony

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The women run the Sunday marathon

Breanna Stewart and USA basketball go for another gold

US defends a women's volleyball title, too

Modern pentathlon includes equestrian for the final time

Also of note

What to watch at the closing ceremony

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