USA win 8th straight Olympic women's basketball gold medal

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) — The US women's team defeated France 67-66 on Sunday, becoming the first basketball team in Olympic history to win eight consecutive gold medals.

A'ja Wilson was the highest scorer of the game with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Kahleah Copper and Kelsey Plum played with 12 points for the US at Bercy Arena.

Gabby Williams produced 19 points, with seven rebounds, and Marine Johannes and Valeriane Ayayi finished with nine points for France.

USA collected their 10th gold medal and eighth in a row, with Diana Taurasi, who didn't appear in the final, claiming a sixth gold medal — a record for an athlete at the Games in any team sport.

Silver went to France, which finished on the podium for a second consecutive Games, following the bronze they won in Tokyo in 2020.

In the third-place game, Australia beat Belgium 85-81 to secure the bronze medal at Bercy Arena.

The Belgium women's basketball team has achieved their highest finish in their second appearance at the Olympics.