Can a Mantra Make You Faster? This Olympic Medalist Has No Doubt

By BY MATTHEW FUTTERMAN from NYT Sports “I love these words and phrases because usually they start in practice or in conversation,” Courtney Frerichs said. Those words and phrases helped her win a silver medal.https://nyti.ms/3ESfMFI

Paralympics to Open With Empty Stands but a Bigger Stage

By BY GWEN KNAPP from NYT Sports Television exposure and new interest from sponsors are raising hopes that the Games can build on their momentum.https://nyti.ms/3gteOoV

Sha’Carri Richardson Finishes Last in Return to Track

By BY MATT FUTTERMAN AND TALYA MINSBERG from NYT Sports Racing the 100 meters for the first time since a drug test kept her out of the Tokyo Olympics, Richardson lost to a field that included all three medalists from the Games.https://nyti.ms/3806Q1W

Spectators Barred From Paralympics

By BY VICTOR MATHER from NYT Sports Officials cited rising coronavirus infection rates. “Everyone is encouraged to watch the Games at home,” a statement said.https://nyti.ms/2VXDoqy

Our Photographers’ Favorite Olympic Images

By BY DOUG MILLS, CHANG W. LEE, JAMES HILL, HIROKO MASUIKE AND ALEXANDRA GARCIA from NYT Sports Times photographers sought to capture every aspect of the Olympic Games in Tokyo. These pictures were special to them.https://nyti.ms/3Ayrcvx

The U.S. is cruising ahead after three quarters.

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/3xvO3pB

The U.S. women’s basketball team faces Japan for the gold.

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/3CqZyCk

The U.S. took a dominating lead in the first half.

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/2VHHTWk

The U.S. was in firm control after the first quarter.

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/2VtNlwe

Here’s how to watch the game in the United States.

By Unknown Author from NYT Sports The U.S.-Japan women’s basketball game will be telecast on NBC on Friday night in the United States at 10:30 p.m. Eastern time.https://nyti.ms/3s207h7

The U.S. women’s basketball team hasn’t lost in the Olympics since 1992.

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/37pCZQj

As one of the oddest Olympics in history wraps up, athletes ‘can’t wait to get home.’

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/3irpnu6

The U.S. women’s basketball team faces Japan for the gold.

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/2WXsFgg

Sue Bird has said this Olympics will be her last.

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/3s0LZEN

Eliud Kipchoge Defends Olympic Marathon Title, Securing His Legacy

By BY JERÉ LONGMAN from NYT Sports The Kenyan runner pulled away from the pack and ran alone for the final eight-plus miles, becoming only the third man to win gold medals in back-to-back Olympics.https://nyti.ms/3CrmuBt

The last time these teams met, the U.S. won by 17.

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/3lINXc4

Expect Japan to shoot lots of 3-pointers.

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/3s89yvx

Kipchoge finished far ahead of the pack to defend his men’s Olympic marathon title.

By BY JERÉ LONGMAN from NYT Sports Eliud Kipchoge, the world’s most decorated marathoner, finished on Sunday far ahead of the pack in 2 hours 8 minutes and 38 seconds.https://nyti.ms/3xqi4Hm

What to look out for as the U.S. women’s basketball team faces Japan for the gold.

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/3lEWwnZ

U.S. broadcast coverage on Saturday night includes women’s basketball, boxing and water polo.

By BY REBECCA THOMAS from NYT Sports The American boxers Keyshawn Davis and Richard Torrez Jr. have gold medal bouts.https://nyti.ms/37sMH4o