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Usain Bolt Wins Third 100-Meter Gold Medal
This is What’s Trending Today.
The world stopped and watched Usain Bolt on Sunday night for less than 10 seconds.
But it was more than enough time to see the Jamaican sprinter win his third-straight gold medal in the 100-meter dash.
It is the first time a runner has won the event at three Olympic Games in a row.
Bolt was not the fastest out of the starting blocks. But he crossed the finish line ahead of American Justin Gatlin. He ran the race in 9.81 seconds.
Next, Bolt will try to win three gold medals in three straight Olympics in the 200-meter race. First he must qualify for the final with a good time on Tuesday morning in Rio de Janeiro. The 200-meter final is on Thursday night.
Bolt said he will try to break his own 200-meter world record. “I'm going to go out there and leave it all on the track,” he said.
Bolt dedicated his victory Sunday to the people of Jamaica.
Puerto Rico’s First Gold Medal
Also this weekend, Monica Puig of Puerto Rico won the women’s tennis tournament. She defeated German Angelique Kerber.
Monica Puig of Puerto Rico celebrates holding her country's flag after winning the gold medal match in the women's tennis competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016.
It was the first-ever gold medal for Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States. Athletes from the island can choose to represent either the U.S. or Puerto Rico in the Olympic Games.
Puerto Rico first sent athletes to the Olympics in 1948. Before the Rio Olympics, it had won eight Olympic medals, but never gold.
Puig was a surprise winner. She was ranked 34th in the world before the tournament.
“I couldn't really believe what just happened,” Puig said.
Irish Rowers Go Viral
Two rowers from Ireland won the country’s first medal of the 2016 Olympics. Brothers Paul and Gary O’Donovan won the silver medal in the lightweight double sculls rowing event.
But they gave an interview on Irish television that some said was worth a gold medal.
People around the world enjoyed hearing the Irish accents and listening to the brothers talk about their experience in Rio. The video interview has more than 4 million views.
“It’s been a bit of circus since we finished the race,” Gary O’Donovan said. “We’re just taking it all in and trying to enjoy it the best we can.”
American actor Mia Farrow wrote on Twitter that the brothers should get the gold medal for best interview.
And that’s What’s Trending Today.
I’m Dan Friedell.
Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.
Can you understand the O’Donovan brothers? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.
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Words in This Story
dedicate – v. to say that (a book, song, etc.) was written or is being performed to honor or express affection for (someone)
qualify – v. to have the right to do, have, or be a part of something
medal – n. a piece of metal often in the form of a coin with designs and words in honor of a special event, a person, or an achievement
rank – v. to place (someone or something) in a particular position among a group of people or things that are being judged according to quality, ability, size, etc.