Paris 2024: Five takeaways from Day Twelve

Day Twelve at Paris 2024 saw dramatic performances across sports. Quincy Hall's stunning 400m win and Soufiane El Bakkali’s back-to-back 3,000m steeplechase gold highlighted the day. Canada made history in beach volleyball and pole vaulting, while China dominated artistic swimming.

Here are five takeaways from Day Twelve at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Quincy Hall lights up the Olympic track

Quincy Hall produced a remarkable comeback to clinch gold. GETTY IMAGES
Quincy Hall produced a remarkable comeback to clinch gold. GETTY IMAGES

Quincy Hall delivered a stunning performance in the 400 meters at the Paris Olympics, clinching gold with a dramatic comeback on Wednesday night.

Starting from fourth place as the runners entered the final stretch, Hall surged past three competitors to finish first with a time of 43.40 seconds, marking the fourth-fastest time ever in the event. His victory was celebrated with a playful display of snow angels on the track.

Britain's Matthew Hudson-Smith took silver, while Zambia's Muzala Samukonga secured bronze.

Hall’s win is the first gold for an American in the 400 meters since LaShawn Merritt in 2008. His triumph followed a thrilling performance by teammate Cole Hocker, who overcame a late deficit to win the men’s 1,500 meters the previous evening.



Soufiane El Bakkali back with a bang for Morocco

Soufiane El Bakkali made history in the 3,000m steeplechase. GETTY IMAGES
Soufiane El Bakkali made history in the 3,000m steeplechase. GETTY IMAGES

Moroccan standout Soufiane El Bakkali made history by becoming the first man since 1932 to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 3,000m steeplechase.

At the Paris 2024 Games, El Bakkali triumphed in a thrilling finish, clocking 8:06.05. He edged out Kenneth Rooks of the United States, who took silver with a time of 8:06.41. Kenya's Abraham Kibiwot secured bronze, finishing in 8:06.47.

Rooks led as they entered the final stretch and seemed poised for an upset, but El Bakkali surged past him to claim victory. Despite finishing second, Rooks set a new personal best, marking the second time in three Olympics that the United States has earned silver in this event.



Melissa Wilkerson and Brandie Humana-Paredes make Canadian beach volleyball history

Canada's Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson defeated Spain's Daniela Alvarez and Tania Moreno. GETTY IMAGES
Canada's Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson defeated Spain's Daniela Alvarez and Tania Moreno. GETTY IMAGES

Canada's Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson triumphed over Spain's Daniela Alvarez and Tania Moreno in straight sets (21-18, 21-18) to advance to the women's beach volleyball semifinals. 

This victory not only ensures a medal opportunity but also marks Canada's best-ever result in women’s beach volleyball at the Games. The Canadian duo will face Switzerland's Nina Brunner and Tanja Hueberli in the semifinals on Thursday, with the medal matches set for Friday.

The Toronto-based duo of Wilkerson and Humana-Paredes, who finished fifth in Tokyo while paired with different partners, Humana-Paredes with Sarah Pavan and Wilkerson with Heather Bansley, are now making waves. Canada’s sole Olympic beach volleyball medal came in 1996, when John Child and Mark Heese won bronze in the men’s event in Atlanta.



China clinches gold in artistic swimming

China came up trumps in the artistic swimming team event. GETTY IMAGES
China came up trumps in the artistic swimming team event. GETTY IMAGES

China triumphed in the artistic swimming team event, securing gold in a sport previously dominated by Russia since Sydney 2000. This win marks a significant milestone for China and reflects the sport's evolution from its former name, synchronised swimming, to its current title.

The gold medalists led with 996.1389 points, outpacing the United States and Spain. This victory is notable for the US, which hasn't medaled in the sport since 2004.

For the first time, men were eligible to compete in artistic swimming at the Olympics, but no male swimmers were selected by any teams. There is ongoing discussion about introducing a mixed duet event for the 2028 Los Angeles Games to increase opportunities for male competitors.

Alysha Newman sets Canadian record to win Bronze in women's pole vault

Alysha Newman has made Candian history in the women's pol vaulting. GETTY IMAGES
Alysha Newman has made Candian history in the women's pol vaulting. GETTY IMAGES

Alysha Newman made history by becoming the first Canadian woman to win an Olympic pole vault medal, securing bronze in Wednesday's final at the Paris Games.

In her third Olympic appearance, Newman set a new Canadian record with a vault of 4.85 metres. Although she matched silver medalist Katie Moon’s height, Moon had fewer missed attempts, giving her the silver while Newman took bronze. Australia's Nina Kennedy won gold with a vault of 4.90 metres.

Newman’s achievement marks the first Canadian Olympic medal in pole vaulting since William Halpenny’s bronze in the men’s event at the 1912 Stockholm Games. Canada’s only other pole vault medal came from Edward Archibald, who won bronze in 1908 in London.



So, who's at the top of the medal table at the end of Day Twelve?

On day twelve, the United States maintained their lead at the top of the medal table with 25 golds and a total of 94 medals. 

The People's Republic of China, in second place, has also earned 25 golds but trails by 29 medals overall.

Australia holds a solid third place with 18 golds, surpassing fourth-placed France, which has 13. However, France leads in total medals, with 51 compared to Australia’s 41.

Great Britain are one gold medal behind France, and two short of France's overall medal tally.


Bring on Day Thirteen!