PARIS — The Paris Olympics will soon come to a close. U.S.
gymnastics star Simone Biles made a triumphant return , taking her Olympic gold tally to seven. French swimmer Léon Marchand won five medals — four of them gold — fulfilling comparisons to Michael Phelps. Armand "Mondo" Duplantis won another gold medal, but the real show for the 80,000 at the Stade de France — which will be the site of Sunday's closing ceremony — was when he broke the world record for the ninth time.
There's been controversy, too. Boxer Imane Khelif of Algeria has been in the spotlight because of misconceptions about her gender. Organizers of the Paris Games have, for the most part, successfully showcased the beauty of the French capital.
Beach volleyball has taken place next to the Eiffel Tower. Holding events in the polluted Seine River , however, has proven more difficult. The United States leads the medal standings, with China next in line.
Australia, France and Britain are vying for the third spot. The women's basketball gold medal game is the last event before the closing ceremony. It's scheduled to tip off at 3:30 p.
m. CEST (9:30 a.m.
EDT) at Bercy Arena. The closing ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.
CEST (3 p.m. EDT) on Sunday at Stade de France just north of Paris.
It's expected to last until 11:15 p.m. CEST (5:15 p.
m. EDT). It will feature traditional highlights, including the athletes' parade and the handover of the Olympic flag to the organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles G.