The Tokyo Games finish with a bang on Sunday with the men’s marathon, several events at the velodrome and the women’s basketball final featuring the United States and Japan. And of course, the closing ceremony.

Thanks for joining us on an historic night for Australian basketball and athletics.

See you again on Sunday morning.

12.05am on Aug 8, 2021

Football’s coming home

Brazil have claimed back-to-back men’s football Olympic gold medals. The Selecao have beaten Spain in the decider 2-1, with Malcolm’s extra time goal splittng the two sides.

Brazil had won the World Cup final at this venue in Yokohama 19 years ago.

11.53pm on Aug 7, 2021

Aussie silver medalist attributes faith to success

Nicola McDermott has spoken of her faith after claiming high jump silver.

“As a teenager, I was always an outcast, and I got welcomed in to a faith community that loved me,” McDermott told Seven.

“I remember encountering the love of God and it changed the way that I thought of myself as a misfit...It gave me passion and purpose, and I think in 2017, it was my big moment when it flicked a switch, and I decided to pursue God over sport and whatever comes with sport is a bonus, but I am already complete and perfect in love regardless of it. That has just allowed me to soar over every high jumper and not be scared anymore. Because I am loved. That is the most important thing.”

11.51pm on Aug 7, 2021

Brazil edge clear

Brazil have taken the lead early in extra time, with substitute Malcolm putting it into the back of the next from the edge of the six-yard box. Brazil leading Spain 2-1, about 11 minutes from glory in Yokohama.

11.45pm on Aug 7, 2021

Still 1-1

The deadlock has not yet been broken after 105 minutes. It’s half time of extra time and Spain and Brazil remain level at 1-1. Fifteen minutes until penalties.

11.40pm on Aug 7, 2021

‘I’m so glad he got to see it’: Gaze celebrates Boomers medal

By Roy Ward

An emotional Andrew Gaze has paid tribute to the scores of people who helped build Australian basketball including his dad Lindsay Gaze who played and coached the Boomers along with working as an administrator for many decades.

“I am so grateful that at 85, 86 years of age, he is able to see this” Gaze said on Channel Seven while speaking about his father.

“It is the work of him and others, right around the country who have done tremendous things.”

Gaze said he saw it as a victory for everyone who has contributed to the game in Australia.

“You do not have to win a medal to have a beautiful journey,” Gaze said while on Channel Seven on Saturday night.

“It is about what we want to stand for in representing Australia and the sport. And I think of those who have been along for the journey, that have their DNA on this.

“When you’re building stadiums. You are building a sport and trying to generate it and from me, I am so grateful and it is tough, but I’m incredibly grateful, before the game, I called up my dad, and just to hear him talk about what this means to the sport and the humility and nothing to do with him, just about how this is going to be good for Australia and Australian basketball, and another tangible bit of evidence to say that we have arrived as a sport for both the men and women.

“He started when there was 200 registered players. And he taught as a coach and as an administrator to build facilities, propagate the game, take it to the people, and the whole way, it was about the Olympics. The values of the Olympics. The spirit of competition was instilled in me at an early age.

“It is all about getting on that podium and showing the friendship and love and making sure that you do the right thing by the game in the nation and the pride that comes in putting on a green and gold jersey.

“Tonight we saw 11 athletes, a beautiful man in Brian Goorjian, John Rillie and Matty Nielsen who put on the green and gold jersey to play, get a reward that has come from the generations working beforehand and for those people. For all they have done for the game that culminates in this reward tonight. It is spectacular.”

11.40pm on Aug 7, 2021

On the podium: Women’s high jump

11.28pm on Aug 7, 2021

Extra time in men’s football final

Brazil, the reigning champions, have gone to extra time in their clash with Spain after it was 1-1 following the regulation 90 minutes.

11.19pm on Aug 7, 2021

Gold for the US

The US have taken gold in a men’s 4x400m relay final, ahead of the Netherlands and Botswana.

11.13pm on Aug 7, 2021

‘I’m going to hang this at mum and dad’s house’: Mills

By Roy Ward

Boomers skipper Patty Mills says he can’t wait to bring his bronze medal home to his parents.

Mills scored a career-best 42 points to make sure of victory in the bronze medal game tonight.

“They are probably sitting at home now,” Mills told Channel Seven as his voice broke.

“It is time to bring an Olympic medal home, back to our country, so I can hang it at mum and dad’s house.”

Mills says this campaign is now the standard for Australian men’s basketball and he wants the team’s younger players to carry the program to new heights after four previous fourth-place finishes.

The Boomers had several first-time Olympians in this year’s squad and NBA draft pick Josh Giddey is among several young talents expected to come into the side in the coming years.

“It’s taken a lot of experiences, a lot of ups, a lot of downs, for us to get over the hump,” Mills said.

“And it’s our culture, at the end of the day, Australian culture, our Aussie spirit. It’s the boys being able to hang together and understand the meaning of what it means to represent your country, and how deep the layers go.

“For it to just come pouring out in moments like this. Now that we’ve made it over the hill, this is the standard now of Australian basketball and we take nothing less.

“We say gold vibes only is the standard and we don’t accept anything less, on the court, off the court, all of our preparation, and it pays off in the long run.

“I don’t know whether to cry, laugh, smile, a lot of emotions.”

Tokyo Olympics Day 15 as it happened: Boomers break through for bronze; Aussie McDermott claims high jump silver

Key Posts

The Aussies to watch

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Thanks for joining us

Football’s coming home

Aussie silver medalist attributes faith to success

Brazil edge clear

Still 1-1

‘I’m so glad he got to see it’: Gaze celebrates Boomers medal

On the podium: Women’s high jump

Extra time in men’s football final

Gold for the US

‘I’m going to hang this at mum and dad’s house’: Mills

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