Spain finish with 17 medals as the Olympics come to a close

2016-08-23 08:00:00

As the Olympic Games concluded on Sunday night with the traditional Closing Ceremony, it was time to reflect on a satisfactory performance for Spain in Rio, boosted by a late surge in medals over the final weekend of sporting action.
In badminton, Carolina Marín won her gold medal match against India's Sindhu Pasarla by two games to one on Friday and the medal count was further boosted by a shock gold medal for Ruth Beitia in the women's high jump. She achieved the gold medal as the oldest Olympic champion in a jumping event at the age of 37 with her best jump clearing 1.97m. Somewhat ironically though, two athletes had cleared higher at 1.98m in the women's heptathlon.
Elsewhere, medal success came thick and fast with a silver medal for Eva Calvo Gómez in the women's -57kg taekwondo as well as silvers for the group all-around performance in the rhythmic gymnastics and the women's basketball team.
Meanwhile, the men's basketball team picked up the bronze medal after beating Australia in Sunday's bronze medal match 89-88. Spain also won another taekwondo medal courtesy of Joel González Bonilla's bronze in the men's -68kg and Carlos Coloma Nicolás did likewise in the men's cross country in the mountain bike race. In addition, Saúl Craviotto won his second medal in Rio having already claimed gold in the men's 200m Kayak Double; this time a bronze over the same distance but in the singles event.
Spain finished in 14th place in the overall standings with seven golds, four silvers and six bronzes, just behind the hosts, Brazil.source surinenglish