US Olympic swimmer Feigen apologizes for Rio scandal

LOS ANGELES -- US swimmer James Feigen apologized Wednesday for his actions with three other gold medalists in a controversial incident during the Rio Olympics.

"First and foremost I would like to apologize for the serious distractions from the Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, and Team USA," Feigen said in a statement.

"I want to thank the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and the people of Rio de Janeiro for their hospitality in hosting these games," he said. "I have nothing but respect for the city."

Feigen recounted what had happened in events that began on August 14, when he and Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Ryan Lochte stopped at a gasoline station after leaving a party in the wee hours of the morning.

Lochte, who has since taken full responsibility for giving a false account of how they had been robbed at gunpoint, has lost sponsorship deals from companies such as swimwear maker Speedo over the scandal.

Feigen said that the swimmers had left the party at about 5:00 am in a taxi to go back to the Olympic Village, and had asked the driver "to pull over so we could relieve ourselves."

The driver stopped at a gas station but the bathroom door was locked, the 26-year-old swimmer said.

"We did not force entry into the bathroom, nor did we ever enter the bathroom. We did, however, make the regrettable decision to urinate in the grass behind the building," Feigen said.

"On our way back to the cab, Ryan Lochte pulled a poster in a metal frame off a wall," he said.

- 'Terrified' -

A man with a gun spoke with the cab driver and the athletes paid the driver and got out of the car.

"As I walked away, the man with the gun pointed it at me and my teammate and ordered us, in Portuguese, to sit," he said.

"This was the first time I have ever had a gun pointed at me and I was terrified.

"I put my hands up and sat down on the curb. It became apparent that the man with the gun was telling us to pay, and I was unsure if they were affiliated with the gas station."

Feigen said that he and Bentz gave the man some money and then were allowed to leave.

Later that day, a Rio police detective came to the USA House to take a statement and since he was the only person available, Feigen said, he was told by a US Olympic Committee official to provide a statement.

"In this statement, I omitted the facts that we urinated behind the building and that Ryan Lochte pulled a poster off the wall," he said. "I was trying to protect my teammates."

Feigen said that later his US passport was confiscated by Brazilian authorities.

A Brazilian court gave him two options: one to remain in Brazil while the police continued the investigation, estimated to take at least a month.

The second option was to pay a fine of $31,250 for the return of his passport and perform 15 days of community service. He rejected both offers.

In the end, he said, all parties agreed to a $10,800 fine, which was paid promptly.

"I am very thankful to be home in the United States with my family and that this ordeal has come to an end," he said.

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Hope Solo hit with six-month ban over 'cowards' comments

U.S. Soccer handed goalkeeper Hope Solo a six-month ban from internationals on Wednesday after she branded opponents Sweden "a bunch of cowards" at this month's Rio Olympics.

The Swedes beat the United States 4-3 in a shootout on Aug. 12 to move into the semi-finals at the Rio Games, denying the Americans a chance to win a fourth straight Olympic title.

"The comments by Hope Solo after the match against Sweden during the 2016 Olympics were unacceptable and do not meet the standard of conduct we require from our national team players," U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati said in a statement.


"Beyond the athletic arena, and beyond the results, the Olympics celebrate and represent the ideals of fair play and respect. We expect all of our representatives to honour those principles, with no exceptions.

"Taking into consideration the past incidents involving Hope, as well as the private conversations we've had requiring her to conduct herself in a manner befitting a U.S. national team member, U.S. Soccer determined this is the appropriate disciplinary action."

Solo, who was previously suspended for 30 days in early 2015 for her conduct, would start her suspension immediately, U.S. Soccer said.

The 35-year-old hit the headlines in January last year over a domestic violence case that was dismissed after she pleaded not guilty to striking her sister and nephew during a dispute at her home in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland.

Solo, who played on Olympic gold medal-winning teams in 2008 and 2012, said in a statement to Sports Illustrated she was "saddened" by the ban.

"For 17 years, I dedicated my life to the U.S. women's national team and did the job of a pro athlete the only way I knew how - with passion, tenacity, an unrelenting commitment to be the best goalkeeper in the world, not just for my country, but to elevate the sport for the next generation of female athletes.

"In those commitments, I have never wavered."

Following the United States' exit from the Rio Games tournament, Solo told the magazine she was proud of her team mates for coming back from a goal down to draw 1-1 but was highly critical of Sweden's tactics.

"I'm very proud of this team," she said.

"But I also think we played a bunch of cowards. The best team did not win today," said Solo, who later confirmed in a Tweet she had made the comments after the match in Brasilia.

"Sweden dropped off. They did not want open play. They didn't want to pass the ball. They didn't want to play great soccer."

As a result of her suspension, Solo will not be eligible for selection to the U.S. national team until February next year.

(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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Rio sends off rocky yet rousing Games with tropical tribute

RIO DE JANEIRO - A blustery storm, a touch of melancholy and a sense of pride converged at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Olympics on Sunday as Brazil breathed a collective sigh of relief at having pulled off South America's first Games.

It was far from a perfect execution by Brazil, which battled with empty seats, security scares and a mysterious green diving pool. But two late gold medals for the host country in its two favourite sports, men's soccer and volleyball, helped smooth some of the rough edges around the Games for Brazilians.

From the Maracana where it all began 16 days ago, the final event kicked off with figures dressed as multicoloured macaws flying over Rio's world-famous landmarks, Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, before forming the five Olympic rings.

A storm that menaced Rio all day sent wind and rain through Brazil's most storied stadium and the power briefly went out in part of the stadium and the surrounding neighbourhood shortly before the ceremony kicked off.

Rain drenched performers and hundreds of athletes as they entered the party, many with medals hanging around their necks, like the U.S. men's basketball team which won gold on Sunday.

To the beat of traditional Brazilian music, Olympians danced and waved their countries' flags to celebrate their place on the world's premier sporting stage.

In the last of 306 medal ceremonies, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach draped the gold around the neck of Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge, winner of the men's marathon earlier in the day.

The city handed over the Olympic flag to Tokyo, site of the 2020 Summer Games, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appeared in the stadium dressed as popular video game character Mario, tunnelling from Tokyo to Rio.

Bach declared the Rio Games closed and expressed hope that they had left a lasting mark on the metropolitan area of 12 million people.

"These Olympic Games are leaving a unique legacy for generations to come," he said. "History will talk about a Rio de Janeiro before and a much better Rio de Janeiro after the Olympic Games."

TAPPING NATURAL TALENT

 

In the midst of it worst economic recession since the 1930s, Brazil's opening and closing ceremonies relied more on the country's unique talents and natural beauty and less on expensive technology.

On Sunday, there was an ode to the white-clad lacemaking ladies and the forro music of the Northeast that sparked waves of pride among Brazilians.

One of the more stunning moments of the ceremony focused on the ancient art found in the Serra da Capivara National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage site in northeastern Brazil featuring cave paintings, some more than 25,000 years old.

But the beauty was betrayed by Brazil's tough times.

Just this week, the foundation that maintains the park said it could no longer do so because of a lack of funding.

For all the troubles before and during the Games, Rio will surely be remembered for great sporting moments.

There was the remarkable comeback of American swimmer Michael Phelps, who won five golds to reinforce his distinction as the most decorated Olympian of all time.

Jamaica's Usain Bolt drew down the curtain on his brilliant Olympic career by securing a sweep of the sprint titles for a third successive Games. And American gymnast Simone Biles, the U.S. flag bearer in the closing ceremony, kicked off her Olympic run by tying the record of four gold medals in a single Games.

But at times it was hard to focus on the sporting triumphs taking place across the sprawling city.

A low point for Rio came when Ryan Lochte, one of America's most decorated swimmers, said he was robbed at gunpoint. That ignited further security concerns after a series of assaults against government ministers, athletes and tourists.

But Lochte's story quickly unravelled, enraging Brazilians and Americans alike.

Brazilians could nevertheless take heart in the fact that there were no major mishaps or breaches after deadly attacks in Europe and the United States had prompted the biggest security operation in Brazil's history with 85,000 troops.

'DIFFICULT MOMENT'

"Even with all our problems we pulled off a good Olympics. Nothing too bad happened and I'd say it was better than expected," said Nivea Araujo, a Rio resident attending the closing ceremony.

For many in the soccer-mad nation, the best Olympic moments happened in the Maracana, where Brazil defeated Germany in soccer on Saturday and pieced together a widely hailed opening ceremony despite the tight budget.

Rio won the right to host the Games in 2009, when the economy was booming and millions were pushing into the middle class.

"We are in a difficult moment as a country right now, we can't hide that, but the Games were scheduled and I'm glad we could enjoy them," said Alessandro Freitas, also from Rio.

One of the major concerns for Brazilians is what will be the final cost of the Games for a country and how much they actually helped improve the city's infrastructure. Many Rio residents could not afford tickets to events, leaving them feeling on the sidelines of the city's biggest undertaking.

And come Monday, with the Games no longer a distraction, Brazil gets back to its dour reality of duelling political and economic crises. An impeachment vote in coming days could lead to the permanent ouster of suspended President Dilma Rousseff.

Interim President Michel Temer, who was booed at the opening ceremony, decided not to attend the closing event.

(Editing by Meredith Mazzilli, Bill Rigby and Peter Rutherford)

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Neymar's nerves of steel hand Brazil first football gold

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Neymar struck the winning penalty as Brazil claimed a first ever Olympic football gold medal with victory over Germany on penalties at Rio's Maracana on Saturday.

The 5-4 shoot-out win exacted revenge for a humiliating 7-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany two years ago.

Olympic gold was the only major title to have escaped five-time world champions Brazil in their history.

But Barcelona star Neymar righted that historical wrong as he fired the winning penalty into the top corner before breaking into tears.

In front of the biggest crowd of Rio's Games, including nine-time Jamaican gold medalist Usain Bolt, Neymar's brilliant free-kick handed Brazil a first-half lead.

In honor of the retiring sprinting great, Neymar even adopted the "lightning bolt" celebration, whilst chants of "ole, ole, ole, Neymar" rang around Rio's most iconic arena.

However, Germany captain Max Meyer enjoyed a special celebration of his own as he taunted the raucous 78,000 crowd at the Maracana by kissing the number seven on his shirt when he swept home Jeremy Toljan's cross just before the hour mark.

The first eight penalties in the shootout were all successful before Brazil goalkeeper Weverton stopped Nils Petersen's effort to set the stage for Neymar.

And he didn't disappoint as, with the weight of a nation on his shoulders, he rifled the ball into the top corner.

In stark contrast to the empty seats on show across the Games, even at times when Bolt has been running, there wasn't a seat to be had at the Maracana -- where Germany won the World Cup against Lionel Messi's Argentina two years ago.

However, it was for the 7-1 mauling in Belo Horizonte five days previously that Brazil were seeking revenge.

None of the players that took to the field that day started on Saturday.

Neymar missed the darkest day in Brazil's football history due to two broken bones in his back suffered during a bruising quarter-final win over Colombia.

Yet, the good fortune that escaped Brazil on home soil two years ago was certainly with them in the first-half as Germany were desperately unlucky to go in behind at the break.

Julian Brandt's fine curling effort came back off the bar, whilst Sven Bender also hit the woodwork from close range.

In between times, Neymar had opened the scoring via the bar with a sumptuous dipping effort from 25 yards for his third goal of the tournament.

Weverton made a fine save from Meyer and Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos was fortunate when his mishit clearance flew inches over his own crossbar.

However, Weverton was beaten for the first time in the competition just before the hour mark when Meyer swept home Toljan's low cross.

Brazil piled on the pressure in the final half hour of normal time as Gabriel Jesus turned Renato Augusto's dangerous cross just wide, substitute Felipe Anderson fluffed his lines and Neymar's effort from distance flew just off target.

The hosts had the better chances in extra-time too as Luan burst clear only to see his shot blocked before Anderson was denied when one-on-one with Horn.

Thankfully for Rogerio Micale's men they were far more clinical from the spot as Augusto, Marquinhos, Rafinha and Luan all netted to hand Neymar the chance to live up to his billing as the host's poster boy for the Games.

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Lochte sorry for behavior in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO - U.S. gold medalist swimmer Ryan Lochte on Friday apologized for his behavior at the Olympics after being accused by Brazilian police of inventing a story about an armed robbery to cover for bad behavior at a gas station.

"I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself, and for that am sorry to my team mates," he said on Instagram.

Lochte, together with fellow U.S. swimmers Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen, are accused of having fabricated a story about being robbed by gunmen posing as policemen.

Surveillance footage and an investigation by Brazilian authorities showed that they had vandalized a gas station bathroom and had handed over money to armed security guards who had prevented them from leaving.

In his apology, Lochte, 32, described the night as "traumatic".

"It's traumatic to be out late with your friends in a foreign country - with a language barrier - and have a stranger point a gun at you and demand money to let you leave," he said.

"But regardless of the behavior of anyone else that night, I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself and for that am sorry to my team mates, my fans, my fellow competitors, my sponsors, and the hosts of this great event."

Lochte, Bentz and Conger have returned to the United States, while Feigen was still in Brazil on Friday morning. Feigen had agreed to pay $11,000 to a Brazilian charity, police said. His passport would be released upon providing a receipt.

It was unclear what, if any, agreement Lochte had made with Brazilian authorities. After arriving in North Carolina on Tuesday, the swimmer has not been seen, apart from giving an interview with Matt Lauer on the "Today Show", which is yet to be aired.

He ended his apology posted Thursday by saying: "There has already been too much said and too many valuable resources dedicated to what happened last weekend, so I hope we spend our time celebrating the great stories and performances of these Games and look ahead to celebrating future successes."

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Bolt cements his greatness

RIO DE JANEIRO - After his Olympic sprint double at the London 2012 Games, Usain Bolt declared himself a "legend". After winning both events for a third time he opted for "the greatest".

The 29-year-old Jamaican eased to 200 metre gold in 19.78 seconds in Rio on Thursday to take his tally to eight sprint Olympic golds following Sunday's 100m success in Rio.

"There's nothing else I can do really," said Bolt, who became the first athlete to win the two individual sprint titles in three consecutive Olympics.

"I've proven to the world that I'm the greatest and that is what I came here for and that's what I'm doing.

"This is what I worked for throughout the years. I worked to be the best, to be among the greats."

The Jamaican had made positive noises about an assault on his own 2009 world record of 19.19 but instead his winning time on a chill, damp night was the slowest of his seven world and Olympic 200m victories.

"I knew it was going to be hard to break the record because when I came off the corner my legs decided, 'now listen, we're not going to go any faster'.

"So I wasn't fully happy but I'm happy that I got the gold medal."

HARD WORK

Bolt, who turns 30 on Sunday, confirmed this will be his last Olympics.

If he helps Jamaica win a third successive 4x100m relay on Friday to complete the triple-triple he will tie the record nine athletics golds won by Finn Paavo Nurmi, a 1920s middle and long distance runner, and American sprinter Carl Lewis.

Bolt said he would definitely run the 100 and relay at next year's world championships in London, though fears his coach might yet try to convince him to also go for the 200 title.

If he did it would mark the 10th anniversary of the last time he lost a major international 200m race, when he finished second to American Tyson Gay in 2007. He lost in the Jamaican trials to Yohan Blake in 2012

Since then, his 200m tally is three successive Olympic titles and four consecutive world championships - another first.

"I've just proven to the world that you can do it clean, with hard work and determination," he said.

"I have made the sport exciting, made people want to see the sport, want to watch the sport, I just put the sport on a different level."

He said he wanted to remain connected to athletics but not as a coach, and was confident that he would walk away with the sport in good shape despite athletics suffering a miserable year of corruption and doping headlines.

"It looks good so far," he said. "I think the younger kids are really stepping up. (Christophe) Lemaitre stepped up tonight, Andre De Grasse has been on the right track," he said of the bronze and silver medallists.

"So I think we're in good shape and the sport has been doing better." (Editing by Patrick Johnston)

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Marta in tears as Sweden dump Brazil in penalty shoot-out

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Sweden ended a disconsolate Marta's dreams of guiding Brazil's women to a first Olympic football gold medal Tuesday with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win to set up a final with Germany.

The five-time world player of the year walked off in tears after the upset before 70,000 people in a stunned Maracana stadium.

Brazil thrashed the Swedes 5-1 in the group stages but were held to a third consecutive 0-0 draw. As in their quarter-final win over Australia, they forced to go through the agony of penalties.

Unlike against the Australians, Marta converted from the spot, but then saw her ambition of capping a glorious career by finally winning a major international title devastated.


"There is no way to describe the feeling of frustration," said Brazil coach Vadao.

Marta, who has played her club football in Sweden for the past four years, was consoled by Swedish players, whilst the huge Maracana crowd gave their defeated team a huge ovation.

Cristiane, the Olympics' all-time top scorer, and Andressa saw spot-kicks saved by Hedvig Lindahl after neither side could score a goal in 120 minutes.

Lisa Dahlkvist converted the winning penalty to secure a place in the final and Sweden's first women's football Olympic medal.

Germany also avenged a group stage defeat in the other semi-final. Goals from tournament top scorer Melanie Behringer and Sara Daebritz confined Canada to a 2-0 defeat and another battle for the bronze they won in London four years ago against Brazil in Sao Paolo on Friday.

Brazil's women were playing for just the second time at Maracana and Marta hopes the momentum built-up for the women's version of the game in football-mad Brazil is not halted by the disappointment.

"Nothing will take the shine off the work we did during the whole year," Marta told SporTV.

- 'Brazil means football' -

"This is a glorious moment for women's football. It is everybody's dream to play here," added Vadao.

"It is full of tradition. It is a cultural thing in Brazil, it is a symbol. Maracana means Brazil and Brazil means football. It is quite a moment and I am just sorry we didn't make it to the final."

There was delight for Sweden coach Pia Sundhage, who can now win a third straight gold medal after leading the United States to victory in 2008 and 2012.

"It is very emotional. I have been in China and London in Olympic finals, but with a team everyone expected to do well.

"The road we have taken has been different, a wonderful trip with one or two upsets."

Sweden's hero Lindahl described the baking sun in Salvador during the Scandinavians' shock penalties quarter-final win over the USA three-time gold medallists as "her enemy".

Lindahl suffers from vitiligo, a condition that causes patches of skin to lose their pigment, making the skin particularly sensitive in the sun.

And she was under fire in the Rio heat as early Brazilian attacks peppered the Sweden goal.

Lindahl even had to endure chants of "Zika" from the home fans, which had been previously reserved for outspoken USA 'keeper Hope Solo.

Marta inspired the 5-1 group stage thrashing of Sweden with two goals, but despite their dominance the ball would not go in for the hosts as Marta, Beatriz and Debinha all came close.

Solo castigated Sweden as "cowards" for their defensive display in the last eight, but that seemed to only strengthen the resolve of Sundhage's women as they barely threatened the Brazilian goal.

"It is not for me to criticise the opponent, especially because their strategy worked and they had good results in both matches," said Vadao graciously.

Vadao introduced Cristiane for extra-time despite doubts over her fitness after missing the quarter-final through injury.

The gamble backfired, though, as she couldn't add to the 14 goals she has scored across four Games from the spot. And when Lindahl parried Andressa's effort, Dahlkvist coolly slotted home to silence the Maracana.

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Bolt continues quest as Taylor, Perkovic retain titles

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Usain Bolt took the next step in his quest for a "triple triple" of sprint golds on Tuesday as American Christian Taylor and Croat Sandra Perkovic both retained their Olympic crowns.

Bolt, fresh from winning the 100m title for an unprecedented third time, safely came through the first round of his favoured event, the 200m.

Running in lane five of heat eight of 10, the 29-year-old coasted home in 20.28 seconds. American rivals Justin Gatlin and Lashawn Merritt also qualified for Wednesday's semi-finals, with the final slated for Thursday.

"It's a morning session and I'm not really a morning person. I just came out to qualify and that's what I did," said Bolt, praising the scheduling.

"I'm surprised it's so settled. Normally we have to do two rounds in one day. It's actually much better for the 200m so we have time to recover over the days.

"For me it's easy I've been doing it for years. You just celebrate on the night, just be happy and then you refocus the next day to go again."

The morning session's two medal events went the way of defending champions.

In the triple jump, Taylor set a season's best 17.86 metres with his first leap, good enough to beat compatriot Will Claye in a repeat of their one-two finish in London four years ago.

"The job is done," said Taylor. "Back to back, it's very special."

Claye celebrated his silver by proposing to long-time girlfriend, hurdler Queen Harrison.

"I woke up this morning and said today is going to be the best day of my life," he said. "It was stressful, man, because I didn't know if she was going to say yes or not."

The women's discus went the way of Perkovic, the Croat in imperious form as she dominated the competition, her best of 69.21m out-distancing France's Melina Robert Michon (66.73m) and world champion Denia Caballero of Cuba (65.34) by some way.

Elsewhere on the track, Ethiopia's newly-crowned 10,000m champion and world record holder Almaz Ayana moved closer to a distance double as she won her 5000m heat in 15:04.35 to progress to Friday's final.

Defending silver medallist and two-time former world champion Vivian Cheruiyot, silver medallist behind Ayana in the longer distance in Rio, Hellen Obiri and Mercy Cherono will make up a strong Kenyan contingent.

Algerian defending champion Taoufik Makhloufi overcame just two hours sleep after bagging silver in the 800m to advance from round one of the 1500m.

Makhloufi, who came in second in the 800m behind David Rudisha late Monday, timed 3min 47.07sec to win his heat.

"I had some massage after the 800m," he said.

"I was in my bed at 4 o'clock in the morning and I slept only two hours!

"This part between the 800m and the heats of the 1500m was always going to be the most difficult part in qualifying for the semi-finals of the latter."

Makhloufi's main rival will likely be Kenyan Asbel Kiprop, 2008 gold medallist and three-time defending world champion, who won his 1500m heat easily in 3:38.97.

Brazilian hopes of an Olympic pole vault double came to an abrupt end when home medal hope Fabiana Murer bombed out of the women's qualifying competition after failing to register a mark.

Rio's Olympic Stadium lit up Monday when Murer's teammate Thiago Braz Da Silva trumped Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie for gold in the men's competition with an Olympic record of 6.03m.

Murer, world silver medallist last year in Beijing, failed to live up to expectations however.

The 35-year-old skipped the three first entry marks of 4.15, 4.30 and 4.45m, coming in at 4.55m.

But she failed with her three attempts at the height, well below her personal best of 4.87m which she vaulted this season.

There was no such drama for current world and Olympic champion Jennifer Suhr of the United States, Cuba's defending Olympic silver medallist Yarisley Silva and European champion Ekaterini Stefanidi who all comfortably vaulted the qualifying mark of 4.60m.

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Murray set for historic match, Puig wins first gold for Puerto Rico

RIO DE JANEIRO - Britain's Andy Murray set up a meeting with Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro in the Olympics men's tennis final on Sunday, as he aims to become the first player to retain the singles title.

Meanwhile, Monica Puig clinched the women's singles gold medal for Puerto Rico, defeating Germany's Angelique Kerber. With the victory, the U.S. territory won its first ever Olympic gold medal, and its ninth medal in history.

Del Potro, who entered the Olympic tournament unseeded but gained a huge boost of confidence by defeating world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the first round, earned his spot in the finals by narrowly defeating Spain's Rafael Nadal.

Ranked 141st in the world after two years plagued by injury, Del Potro came back from a set down against Nadal to win the day, prevailing in a tense tie-break in the decisive third set.

The 27-year-old Argentine, who stands 6 feet 6 inches (1.98m), deployed his barrelling serve and crushing forehand to outmatch Nadal 5-7 6-4 7-6(5).

If he can muster the same kind of power against Murray, the Olympic final is likely to be a thriller.

Murray, 29, defeated Roger Federer of Switzerland to win the gold medal in men's singles in London, where Del Potro was the bronze medallist.

Asked about the prospect of winning a second straight Olympic singles gold, Murray said: "It would mean a lot. It's obviously not an easy thing to do - that's why it has not been done before."

Murray's victory on Saturday was far easier for him. He defeated Japan's Kei Nishikori in a commanding display.

The Wimbledon champion and world No. 2 broke Nishikori's serve early on, breezing through the first set 6-1.

Murray served aggressively and quickly closed out the match 6-1 6-4, never giving Nishikori a single chance to break back.

"I think I played really well," Murray told reporters after the match. "I didn't give him any opportunities on my serves and I was very aggressive when I was returning."

BLUE-AND-WHITE FANS

 In the battle between Del Potro and Nadal, the players traded long, bruising rallies to split the first two sets, and each broke the other's serve in the final set. Nadal came up short in the tie-break.

Del Potro has created trouble for the Spanish star before, beating him on his way to a victory at the U.S. Open in 2009, but the Argentine's performance has been inconsistent since that year, and he has been hampered by injury for most of the last two years.

"It means something very big for my career," Del Potro told reporters. "I didn't expect to reach the final beating Djokovic and Rafa."

Del Potro seemed to draw energy from a blue-and-white-clad contingent of fans from Argentina, whose loud chanting from the rafters - typical of Argentine soccer matches - at times drew rebukes from the chair umpire on Saturday.

He entreated the crowd to "treat both players fairly," and at one point reminded them that "this is a tennis match."

Nadal has already claimed a gold medal in Rio with a doubles victory on Friday with partner Marc Lopez. The Spaniard has shown tremendous grit throughout the Rio tournament after months without training. Prior to the Games, Nadal was sidelined with a wrist injury that forced him to sit out Wimbledon this year.

"I just congratulate Del Potro for a great, great event for him," Nadal said after the loss. "I just tried my best until the end, and I'm very satisfied."

PUERTO RICO'S PUIG WINS TERRITORY'S FIRST GOLD

In the Olympic women's singles final, Puerto Rico's Puig defeated Kerber in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, to win the island's first gold medal. With the win, Puig also became the first woman ever to win a medal for Puerto Rico.

Twenty-two-year-old Puig, ranked No. 34 in the world, went into the match as the underdog against Kerber, this year's Australian Open champion.

To reach the final, Puig had already defeated two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the semi-finals along the way.

Puig put on an impressive performance on Rio's centre court, amid cheers of "Si, se puede" ("Yes, you can") from fans waving Puerto Rican flags. She was able to hit ground stroke winners from all over the court, often painting the lines, and leaving Kerber, the world's No. 2 female player, struggling to effectively deploy her signature, punchy counter-attacking style of play.

Also on Saturday, Kvitova of Czech Republic defeated Madison Keys of the United States to win the bronze medal in the women's draw in three sets, 7-5 2-6 6-2.

American Venus Williams also secured a spot in the mixed doubles final scheduled for Sunday. Win or lose, Williams will become the second tennis player in history to claim five medals at the Olympics.

(Additional reporting by Drazen Jorgic.; Editing by Alison Williams and Bill Rigby)

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Phelps writes new page with four wins in same event

Michael Phelps of the United States won the Olympic 200 meters individual medley on Thursday to capture the 22nd gold medal of his career and become the first swimmer to win the same event at four consecutive Games.

Japan's 400 IM champion Kosuke Hagino won silver and Wang Shun of China took bronze, both moving dramatically through the field on the final length after turning in fifth and seventh place.

It was yet another extraordinary swim for Phelps, 31, who has now won two individual and two relay golds at his fifth Olympics, two years after coming out of retirement.

His medal haul has now risen to 26, including two silvers and two bronzes, with the 100 butterfly final still to come on Friday. Thirteen of his golds have come in individual races, the rest in relays.

"Right now I don't know how to wrap my head around that. I don't know what to say. It's been a hell of a career," Phelps told reporters, while acknowledging the strain on his 31-year-old body.

"That hurt a lot ... my body is in pain, my legs are hurting, I'm tired."

Despite winning four golds in London in 2012, Phelps has said he was dissatisfied with his preparation and results there and wants to bow out on his own terms.

"The biggest thing for me through the meet so far is I've been able to kind of finish how I wanted to. I've been able to come back and I've been able to accomplish things that I just dreamt of," he said.

"GREATEST EVER"

He was lauded by the Rio crowd, with one banner proclaiming "Phelps Greatest Olympian Ever". At the medal ceremony he swayed slightly and breathed deeply, his eyes moist, as he listened to the U.S. anthem.

Phelps then raised his arms to salute the crowd as fiancee Nicole cradled their baby son Boomer in the stands.

There was little time to savor the moment, however, as he raced back off the pool deck to get ready for the semi-finals of the 100m butterfly, which he also has the chance to win for a fourth successive Games.

He finished second in his semi-final to qualify fifth fastest for Friday's final.

In the medley, Brazil's Thiago Pereira went off fastest, leading from Phelps after the butterfly leg, with Ryan Lochte of the United States and Hagino neck-and-neck just behind.

With the Rio crowd's excitement mounting, the three turned almost together after the backstroke, with Lochte just 0.01 seconds ahead.

Phelps led from Pereira and Lochte at the final turn and powered on as the other two faded, opening the way for Hagino and Wang to grab the two other medals.

Phelps clocked one minute, 54.66 for a comfortable winning margin of 1.95 seconds.

Japan's Hiromasa Fujimori was fourth and Lochte fifth in the last individual race of his long career, with a flagging Pereira seventh.

Phelps' four consecutive golds in the same event are unique for a swimmer, and place him in the same Olympic pantheon as fellow-Americans Al Oerter in the discus and Carl Lewis in the long jump.
(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)

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Sealed with a kiss as Phelps makes it 21 golds

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Michael Phelps captured his 20th Olympic gold medal in devastating fashion Tuesday, sealing victory with a kiss, before adding a staggering 21st before the night was over.

The American crushed rival Chad le Clos to regain his 200 metres butterfly title, celebrating victory in a race bristling with tension by pointing to the sky and gesturing to the Rio crowd to "bring the noise" -- an order they duly obeyed.

Katinka Hosszu and Katie Ledecky struck further blows for girl power, but again it was all about Phelps, who later anchored the American 4x200 freestyle relay team to gold as the clock edged toward midnight local time.

Milking the acclaim of the Brazilian crowd, Phelps climbed past the massed bank of poolside photographers to kiss fiancee Nicole and baby Boomer after an emotional medals ceremony.

Entering the arena like a gladiator, his face a granite mask of concentration, Phelps dominated a grudge final le Clos had billed as "Ali versus Frazier" to become the oldest individual swimming gold medallist in Olympic history at 31.

South African Le Clos, who won by a fingertip four years ago in London to rob the American of a hat-trick of titles, faded badly down the stretch to finish out of the medals.

World record holder Phelps, the most decorated athlete in Olympic history, clocked 1min 53.36sec to add to his staggering title tally as Japan's Masato Sakai came through for a surprise silver in 1:53.40. Hungary's Tamas Kenderesi took bronze in 1:53.62.

Competing in his fifth and final Olympics, victory was twice as sweet for Phelps after clashing with le Clos in the media since losing to the South African in their epic tussle in London.

- Home-run trot -

Phelps won his 19th Olympic gold in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay at the weekend and if he feels greedy, there is more potential gold for him in the 100m fly and the 200m individual medley -- events he has incredibly won at the past three Olympics.

Still, Phelps was not done, putting the finishing touch to an easy win in the 4x200m free, cruising home almost two and a half seconds ahead of Britain's James Guy in the swimming equivalent of baseball's home-run trot around the bases.

Hungary's "Iron Lady" Hosszu completed the individual medley double by winning the 200m final in an Olympic best 2:06.58, with Britain's Siobhan-Marie O'Connor taking silver in 2:06.88. Bronze went to American Maya Dirado in 2:08.79.

Ledecky captured her second gold medal of the Games after holding off a brave charge from Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom in an absorbing women's 200m freestyle final.

The American phenom, who won the 400m title with a stunning world record on day two, clocked 1:53.73 to win by 0.35 seconds from Sjostrom with Australia's Emma Mckeon taking bronze in 1:54.92.

"That was a really tough race and it hurt really badly," said Ledecky. "I'm pretty sure that's the closest I've come to throwing up in the middle of a race. I had to dig deep. I'm just so glad I got my hand on the wall first, it was all worth it."

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Games bus hit by gunfire, no one seriously hurt: witnesses

RIO DE JANEIRO - A bus carrying journalists at the Rio Games was hit by gunfire on a highway between Olympic venues on Tuesday, witnesses said. No one was seriously injured in the incident.

The bus was making its way from the Games basketball venue to the main Olympic park when, according to passengers, two shots were heard hitting the vehicle. Windows shattered and flying glass left two people with minor lacerations.

"We were shot at. I mean we could hear the report of the gun," said Sherryl "Lee" Michaelson, a retired U.S. air force captain who is working for a basketball publication in Rio.

Brazilian police were not immediately available for comment.

Violent street crime in Rio has left its mark on South America's first Olympic Games. On Saturday, a bullet hit the equestrian centre, missing journalists there by just a few feet. That bullet was suspected to have been fired by a gang member trying to shoot down a police blimp or drone, officials said.

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US women run riot as Biles gets first Games gold

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Simone Biles got her bid for a record five gold medals at the Rio Olympics off to a flying start as the United States women coasted to a team gymnastics title defence on Tuesday.

The five-woman US team -- Biles, Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, Madison Kocian and Laurie Hernandez -- claimed gold by a margin of over eight points on Russia with China winning bronze in the Rio Olympic Arena.

"It's everything and more than I'd hoped it to be," said Biles, 19, who was too young to compete in London 2012.


She has dominated women's gymnastics over the past three years -- winning ten world titles -- and is looking to aad to her haul in the all-around, floor, beam and vault finals in Rio.

"It didn't feel like the Olympics. That helped us," said the Texan. "It felt like one more routine and we kept calm."

The weight of expectation after leading qualifiers by over 10 points had only made them stronger, said Raisman, a gold medal winner in London.

"We were heavy favourites, but we tried to use that pressure as motivation," said the 22-year-old.

The US women become the first team to win back-to-back Olympic golds since Romania in 2000 and 2004. It was their third gold after winning a first in Atlanta 1996.

Three-time world all-around champion Biles was the only American to compete on all four apparatus -- vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor - with all scores counting and no room for error.

She made it look easy as hit 15.933 on the vault, followed by 14.800 on uneven bars, on which world champion Kocian gave a spectacular display of aerial acrobatics to lead the way with 15.933.

At the halfway point the US women were almost home and dry having already pulled over four points ahead of China and Russia.

Biles wobbled slightly on the beam but held allowing the US to confidently stride into the final rotation on floor with almost a five-point lead on China.

- Samba finale -

China's Mao Yi slipped off the mat on the floor routine, ending the 2008 champions' challenge for silver, after Shang Chunsong had earlier tumbled off uneven bars.

And taking to the floor last Biles turned on an acrobatic display of tumbling to Brazilian Samba music which proved a hit with the home crowd to seal a victory which was never in doubt.

The United States scored 184.897, with Russia scoring 176.688 with China, 176.003, returning to the podium after failing to medal in London.

"I still feel a little sad because we made two big mistakes," said Shang. "If we only made one mistake, we might have won the silver medal."

It was a return to the top of the podium again for Douglas, 20, who took two gold in 2012 but lost her all-around title after missing the cut for Thursday's final.

"I have found great joy again. It's amazing to be out there and to experience this with these wonderful girls," said Douglas, who competed on just one apparatus -- the uneven bars. "We were just having fun and went out there to do what we had to do."

Russia, spearheaded by Aliya Mustafina, took silver as in 2012.

"Obviously the USA are much stronger now but in the future we will challenge again for first place," said Mustafina, who won four medals in London.

The former Soviet Union won the team event a record nine times with Russia winning their fourth silver medal.

Brazil finished last in the eight-team final with Rebeca Andrade strumbling out of her final tumble on floor after Flavia Saraiva gave a tentative display on the beam.

Japan failed to follow their men's team onto the podium finishing fourth ahead of Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and Brazil.

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Phelps' purple blotches spotlight 'cupping' trend

NEW YORK -- It wasn't just Michael Phelps' big win on Sunday that had people talking about the U.S. swimming star. It was also the dark purple circles on his shoulders.

Phelps, who won the 19th Olympic gold medal of his career on Sunday and helped the U.S. men's team to victory in the 4x100 meters freestyle relay, is one of a number of Olympic athletes practicing "cupping," an ancient Chinese healing practice (more known as "ventosa" in the Philippines).

During the therapy, cups are placed on the section of the body in need of repair to create suction. The method is said to draw out any toxins, mobilize blood flow, soothe sore muscles and even help cure insomnia.

"I have done it for awhile but I haven't had bad ones (marks) like this awhile though," Phelps, who in 2015 posted an Instagram photo of himself receiving the therapy, told reporters on Monday.

"That's where I hurt the most," he said of the marks on his shoulder. "I have done it before pretty much every meet I go to. I just asked for a little cupping yesterday because I was sore."

The 31-year-old, raising a roar from the crowd on his first competitive appearance at his fifth Games after sitting out the heats, now has an unprecedented 23 medals with two silvers and two bronzes filling out his tally.

On Monday, there were nearly 300 posts per minute mentioning Phelps on Twitter, according to social media analytics firm Zoomph.

U.S. gymnast Alex Naddour, 25, and Belarusian swimmer Pavel Sankovich are also fans of the procedure. Naddour posted a selfie with a big cupping mark on his shoulder last week, while Sankovich, 26, posted a photo on Instagram in June saying, "This kinda Saturday morning. Cupping is a great recovery tool."

Actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston and pop star Justin Bieber have also been photographed with the distinctive large circles on their backs and chest.

However, while the therapy dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures, it has been less popular among more skeptical Western medical societies.

"There is no scientific rationale for expecting any health benefit from cupping," the American Cancer Society said in a statement on Monday.

However, Jessica MacLean, acting director of the International Cupping Therapy Association, said she has seen a 20 percent increase in purchases of cupping therapy equipment and a 50 percent increase of healthcare practitioners seeking out their cupping certificates over the last three days.

MacLean, who receives cupping therapy daily and has been performing the procedure on people for 24 years, said she saw a similar trend after the "The Karate Kid" movie was released in 2010, which featured the therapy briefly.

"Every time we see something like this happen in the media, it piques people's attention," said MacLean. "When people get the treatment and they recover really fast, they don't care about the scientific evidence - they just care that it works."

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Japan end China's reign as team champions

RIO DE JANEIRO - Not even the curse of the pommel horse could halt Japan's march to the men's team gymnastics title at the Rio Olympics on Monday as China's eight-year reign as champions came to an end after a day of slips, trips and botched landings.

Four years after Kohei Uchimura's botched dismount from the pommel horse almost denied Japan a team medal in London, it looked as if the same apparatus would be their undoing again when Koji Yamamuro lost his grip and rolled off.

But unlike in 2012, when they ended up with silver behind China, Yamamuro's score of 13.900 was their only blip in Rio as they put in a command performance on the remaining five apparatus to capture gold with a total of 274.094.

In a sport where tenths of a point can mean the difference between a gold medal and no medal at all, their total was 2.641 points more than surprise silver medallists Russia.

The Chinese team of Lin Chaopan, Deng Shudi, Zhang Chenglong, Liu Yang and You Hao sat back dejectedly in their chairs after Russia pipped them by 0.331 points to silver, with Zhang breaking down in tears afterwards backstage.

For all Uchimura's past success, the men's Olympic team gold was the one major medal missing from his vast collection, which includes the 2012 all around title, a record six successive world all around golds and the 2015 world team crown.

On Monday, he stood side-by-side with teary-eyed 2012 London Games survivors Yamamuro, Ryohei Kato and Yusuke Tanaka and new kid on the block Kenzo Shirai in triumph, their index fingers raised to confirm their standing in men's gymnastics.

"This was the event I really wanted to win gold in," Uchimura said after Japan returned to the top of the Olympic podium for the first time since 2004.

"You really have to work on yourself to become number one."

BAD DAY FOR CHINA

Japan's gold medal winning performance came just two days after an error-filled display in qualifying, which included Uchimura falling off the horizontal bar.

China, who topped qualifying, had obviously saved their mistakes for the final.

Their failure to stick landings meant their hopes of completing a hat-trick of Olympic titles was over long before their final three competitors had mounted the horizontal bar.

In fact they looked in danger of missing out on the medals completely after stumbles and falls on the vault, rings and floor exercise left them trailing in fifth place with two rotations to go.

However, they surged back with a strong showing in the parallel bars that lifter them into third with one rotation to go.

When Japan's Kato, Shirai and Uchimura scored a combined 47.199 on their final apparatus -- the floor exercise -- China's Deng, Lin and Zhang knew they would have to score more than 47.94 points on the horizontal bar to overhaul them.

Once Deng (14.400) and Lin (15.000) had completed their dismount, China knew it was game over as Zhang was left needing to do something that has never been done in gymnastics -- score more than 18 points on an apparatus.

It was a day when not much went right for China, with the announcer at the Rio Olympic Arena hailing Liu Yang's strong showing on the rings by saying. "Deng Shudi looks delighted with his performance" and then having to watch their incorrectly-designed flag raised on the lowest pole after claiming bronze.

China, who also saw their 12-year reign as world champions ended by Japan last October, finished with a total of 271.122, behind Russian in second with 271.453.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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Gold for Phelps as records tumble in Olympic pool

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- US swimming legend Michael Phelps extended his record gold medal tally in a day of Olympic drama that saw world records, a first title for Kosovo and a heart-stopping crash.

Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, inspired the United States to victory in the 4x100m freestyle relay before he starts his personal campaign on Monday.

The Olympic swimming battle will also see Russia's Yuliya Efimova, retrieved from a drug ban, in contention for a medal.

The 31-year-old Phelps -- who has now won 19 gold medals -- roared with delight and hugged his team-mates after they came home ahead of defending champions France in silver, with Australia third.

It was a fairytale moment for Phelps, who came out of retirement for one last crack at the Olympics.

He will be in the 200m butterfly heats on Monday having seen the relay display cap a superb night of swimming with three world records broken.

Katie Ledecky obliterated her own world best in the 400m freestyle on her way to gold.

The 19-year-old touched the wall in 3min 56.46sec, taking nearly two seconds off her previous record.

Ledecky is bidding to become the first Olympian since Debbie Meyer in 1968 to win the 200m, 400m and 800m free in the same Games.

- 'It's surreal, crazy' -

Britain's Adam Peaty took more than 1.5sec off the men's 100m breaststroke world record after Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom had also broken the record in the women's race.

"It's surreal. It was crazy. It's amazing and I probably won't be able to sleep tonight," Peaty said.

The spellbinding action in the pool brought the curtain down on an intense day of sport with 14 gold medals shared out.

Among the most popular winners was the hard-as-nails judoka Majlinda Kelmendi from Kosovo, taking part in its first Games after only gaining Olympic status in 2014.

The 25-year-old sank to her knees in tears after out-grappling Italy's Odette Giuffrida to win by yuko in the women's 52kg final.

Kosovo is the 100th country to win an Olympic gold medal.

"I have always wanted to show the world that Kosovo is not just a country that has gone through war," Kelmendi beamed.

"We have survived a war. There are still kids who don’t know if their parents are alive, don't have anything to eat or books to go to school. So the fact of becoming Olympic champion is just huge for all of us."

- Tennis victims -
The day began with strong winds wreaking havoc at several Olympic venues.

The entire day of rowing was called off after gusts churned waters making it impossible to row. Strong winds also delayed the tennis, which saw a slew of upsets when action resumed.

The biggest casualty was world number one Novak Djokovic, bounced out 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2) in the opening round of the men's singles by Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro.

It was an unexpected win for del Potro, who has struggled with wrist injuries in recent years.

"It was an amazing match for me. I didn't expect to win tonight as I know the situation with my wrist," said del Potro.

In the women's doubles, Venus and Serena Williams' long reign as champions came to an end when they lost to Czech duo Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova in the first round.

"It was what it was. We have a chance to compete for our country and did the best that we can. We had a blast out there," said 34-year-old Serena after the 6-3, 6-4 defeat.

The women's cycling road race was won by Anna van der Breggen, who overcame the shock of seeing team-mate Annemiek van Vleuten lying stricken on the road after a horrific crash to win gold on Copacabana beach.

Van Vleuten was taken to intensive care with cracked vertebrae.

There was more disappointment for hosts Brazil in the Olympic football. They were booed off for a second straight game after a 0-0 draw with Iraq.

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Surprise in Philippines at first medal in 20 years

MANILA, Philippines -- Hidilyn Diaz sprung a major surprise in the Philippines by winning a weightlifting silver medal in Rio -- the country's first Olympic medal for 20 years, officials said Monday.

Sports analysts in the Philippines had not expected the 1.54-metre (5ft 1/2in) tall Diaz to bag a medal at the 2016 Games after coming up empty in 2008 and 2012 games.

"We had high hopes with other sports. So (Diaz's medal) is a surprise. A lot of people didn't expect she would take a medal," said Ronel Abrenica, executive-director of the Philippine Sports Commission.

But Abrenica said he noticed something from the 25-year-old, who became the first woman from the Philippines ever to win an Olympic medal.


"I was watching her before. I saw her sincerity and determination. You could see it in the way she talks. She was determined to win. She had the fire in the belly," he told AFP.

"Before she set off (for Rio), she told me, 'at least, I can get a bronze'. So this (silver) is a bonus," said Abrenica.

Diaz took the silver in the 53kg class, the first ever by a Filipino weightlifter, Abrenica said.

It was also the first Olympic medal for the Southeast Asian nation since boxer Mansueto Velasco took a silver in the 1996 games.

The two Filipino boxers in the 13-member contingent were considered to have the best chances, as boxers had won five of the country's previous nine Olympic medals, sports analysts had said.

President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman Martin Andanar, congratulated Diaz, saying "hers is (an inspiring story) about overcoming shyness but for an inspired nation, her road to Rio is a journey of grit, patience and determination."

He also said that Diaz is the country's first Olympic medallist from Duterte's home southern region of Mindanao.

Diaz's victory also has monetary benefits as Philippine law provides a five million peso ($107,000) prize to Olympic silver medallists, Abrenica said.

He added that the sports commission, which is in charge of funding the country's sports programmes, was also working with "private partners" to get Diaz additional benefits.

Like other Filipino sports heroes, such as boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, Diaz can also likely count on lucrative commercial offers once she returns home, he added.

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British foe confident of beating PH boxer Suarez

Joe Cordina, the fighter who ended Charly Suarez's Olympic campaign, said he never doubted he would triumph against the older Filipino boxer when they fought in the first round of the lightweight competition in Rio.

Cordina took a split decision victory to advance to the second round, where he will be up against Hurshid Tojibaev.

Though it was a difficult bout by most accounts, Cordina said he never once doubted the final result will be in his favor.

"The second was a shaky round," Cordina said, as quoted by Wales Online. "But I made him miss a lot in the last, and I was not worried about the result."

Speaking to BBC, Cordina said that the pro-Suarez crowd, as well as the Filipino fighter's style, may have influenced the judges early on.


"They were quite noisy, the Filipinos," he said. "And then Suarez was showing off a little bit in the last round."

"I don't know why, because every time he lunged in with a shot, he was missing. So I don't know where he was getting all his confidence from," Cordina added.

Suarez, for his part, said he accepted the loss although he also belied he should have won.

"Tanggapin ko ang talo, pero para sa akin, lamang talaga ako (I accept my loss, but I believe I won the fight)," said Suarez.

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Brazil interim president opens Rio Games amid jeers

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Loud jeers erupted around the Maracana stadium as Brazil's interim president Michel Temer officially opened the Rio Olympics on Friday.

Boos and jeers rang out in the packed stadium as Temer, who took over when impeachment proceedings started against President Dilma Rousseff, started speaking.

As soon as he finished, a loud round of fireworks was set off to drown out the cat calls.

Brazil is in political crisis with several leaders facing corruption cases. Rousseff supporters accuse Temer of being part of a plot against the suspended president.

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Brazil held goalless in exciting opener

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil failed to make a winning start despite home advantage, a multi-million dollar strike force and a man advantage as they were held 0-0 by South Africa in their opening soccer match at the Rio Olympics on Thursday.

Brazil, who have never won the Olympic gold, started with a highly rated front three of Neymar, new Manchester City signing Gabriel Jesus, and 19-year-old Gabriel Barbosa, the Santos striker expected to head to Europe in this transfer window.

But the little-known South Africans matched them until they had Mothobi Mvala sent off just before the hour. Brazil pinned their opponents down after that but just could not score.

"That's football," Barbosa said in a TV interview after some fans in the 69,000 crowd had booed the team as they left the field. "Sometimes the ball doesn't go in the net."

Barcelona striker Neymar had two of Brazil's best chances, forcing keeper Itumeleng Khune to make diving saves to thwart two rasping drives from outside the box.

Jesus smacked the ball off the post from two yards out when it looked easier to score, while Barbosa should have done better when he scuffed a shot with only the keeper to beat.

But a big crowd in the National Stadium in Brasilia went home unhappy after the second game of the day ended goalless.

That result was not the only surprise as their great rivals Argentina lost 2-0 to Portugal. It was the South Americans' first Olympics reverse in 13 games. Argentina were unbeaten in winning gold during their last two appearances in 2004 and 2008.

Holders Mexico drew 2-2 with Germany in Salvador, with all four goals coming in the second half.

Later in the day, South Korea put eight goals past debutants Fiji. Ryu Seungwoo got a hat trick in the demolition in Salvador, with seven of the eight goals coming in the second half.

The goals also came in the second half at the same venue earlier in the evening, when Mexico drew 2-2 with Germany.

In Thursday's final match, Nigeria beat Japan 5-4 with Oghenekaro Etebo grabbing four goals.

Earlier on Thursday, Iraq and Denmark kicked the tournament off with a 0-0 draw at a mostly empty National Stadium.

The first goals in the competition came soon after in Rio, where Honduras beat Algeria 3-2 in an enthralling match.

The opening ceremony for the Rio Games takes place on Friday but the men's soccer tournament began 24 hours earlier, a day after the women's soccer teams began their quest for gold. Twelve women's teams are in Brazil, along with 16 men's sides.

The competition is being played in Rio and six other cities.

(Editing by Ed Osmond, Ken Ferris and Frank Pingue)

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