Rio Olympics: Kristin Armstrong wins third straight gold in cycling
American cyclist Kristin Armstrong made it three consecutive gold medals on Wednesday, the ageless wonder conquering a brutal course at the Rio Games.
)
Cyclist Kristin Armstrong of the United States rides at the start of the women’s individual time trial event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Pontal beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The American cyclist made it three consecutive gold medals on Wednesday, the ageless wonder conquering a brutal course at the Rio Games. Her time of 44 minutes, 26.42 seconds topped reigning bronze medalist Olga Zabelinskaya of Russia by the slimmest of margins: 5.55 seconds. AP
)
Armstrong crossed the finish line first while bleeding from her nose. AP
)
Once she had crossed the finish line, Armstrong fell from her cycle and medicals raced to help the cyclist who was still suffering a nose bleed. Armstrong, one day shy of her 43rd birthday, joined speedskater Bonnie Blair as the only American women to win three gold medals in the same event at any Olympics. “I’ve had the hardest journey this Olympics that I’ve ever had,” she said. “There was a lot of pressure, and I didn’t realise this until this year but third place was a really bad result for me. I had to win everything. … But I knew how to get it done on one day.” AP
)
Armstrong celebrates after crossing the finish line. Despite her pedigree, Armstrong was a controversial selection for the US team. It wasn’t until a week before she departed for Brazil that Armstrong’s place was confirmed. “When you’ve already been two times at the pinnacle of the sport, why risk coming back for the gold medal? The best answer I can give is that I can,” she said. “Today the stars aligned.” AP
)
Armstrong shows her gold medal to her son Lucas William Savola. When the 5-year-old approached her at the finish, he asked, “Mama, why are you crying? You won!” Once again. “That’s a great question from a 5-year-old,” Armstrong said with her now-familiar grin. “That’s what we do, we cry when we’re happy. I’m going to have to explain that one to him a little later.” AP
 "Charlie Kirk, shot dead in Utah, once said gun deaths are 'worth it' to save Second Amendment")
 "From governance to tourism, how Gen-Z protests have damaged Nepal")
 "Did Russia deliberately send drones into Poland’s airspace?")
 "Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages: Qatar PM after Doha strike")
 "Charlie Kirk, shot dead in Utah, once said gun deaths are 'worth it' to save Second Amendment")
 "From governance to tourism, how Gen-Z protests have damaged Nepal")
 "Did Russia deliberately send drones into Poland’s airspace?")
 "Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages: Qatar PM after Doha strike")
Top Shows
