Key moments from the Olympic Games: Day 8

Here's what you missed from Day 8 of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

ByAlex Scott
July 31, 2021, 10:13 AM

Each day, ABC News will give you a roundup of key Olympic moments from the day’s events in Tokyo, happening 13 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time. After a 12-month delay, the unprecedented 2020 Summer Olympics is taking place without fans or spectators and under a state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Caeleb Dressel and Katie Ledecky bring home the gold, make history

Rising superstar Caeleb Dressel dominated the field in the Men's 100m butterfly, setting a new world record of 49.45 seconds. Meanwhile, established super star Katie Ledecky won the 800m freestyle yesterday and with it became the first female swimmer to win six individual gold medals in the Olympics.

The wins were each their third gold medal at the 2020 Games, Dressel now has four total Olympic gold medals for his career while Ledecky has now won seven.

PHOTO: Caeleb Dressel of the United States swims in the men's 100m butterfly on July 31, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Caeleb Dressel of the United States swims in the men's 100m butterfly on July 31, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Marko Djurica/Reuters
PHOTO: Katie Ledecky of Team USA poses with her two Gold and two Silver medals after a giving a press conference to the media during the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Katie Ledecky of Team USA poses with her two Gold and two Silver medals after a giving a press conference to the media during the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Simone Biles withdraws from individual vault and uneven bars finals

U.S. gymnast Simone Biles pulled out of the individual finals competitions for vault and uneven bars after withdrawing from individual all-around finals earlier this week. "She will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether to compete in the finals for floor exercise and balance beam,” USA gymnastics said in a statement.

Team USA’s MyKayla Skinner, who finished with the fourth-highest score during qualifications, will replace Biles.

PHOTO: Simone Biles is seen at training on July 22, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Simone Biles is seen at training on July 22, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Dylan Martinez/Reuters
PHOTO: Mykayla Skinner of Team United States competes on uneven bars during Women's Qualification on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Mykayla Skinner of Team United States competes on uneven bars during Women's Qualification on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

COVID-19 cases at Tokyo Olympics rise to 246, cases in Tokyo area set new record high

There were 21 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 among people at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday, all from games concerned personnel or Olympic contractors. The total now stands at 246, according to data released by the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee.

The surrounding city of Tokyo reported 4,058 new cases on Saturday, a 7-day average increase of 217.0%, according to data released by the Tokyo metropolitan government.

PHOTO: People are seen in the streets of Harajuku shopping area during the state of emergency, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan July 31, 2021.
People are seen in the streets of Harajuku shopping area during the state of emergency, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan July 31, 2021.
Androniki Christodoulou/Reuters

Djokovic leaves Olympics empty-handed after withdrawal from bronze medal match

What could have been a historic Olympics for Serbia's Novak Djokovic has resulted in frustration and injury. Djokovic's dreams of achieving a Golden Slam were dashed after a loss to Alexander Zverev yesterday, and the world's top-ranked tennis player lost again today in the bronze medal match to Pablo Carreño Busta, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3.

Afterward, Djokovic was due back on court for his bronze medal match in mixed-doubles but withdrew from the match citing a left-shoulder injury, according to The Associated Press.

PHOTO: Serbia's Novak Djokovic smashes his racket during his Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games men's singles tennis match for the bronze medal against Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta at the Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo on July 31, 2021.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic smashes his racket during his Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games men's singles tennis match for the bronze medal against Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta at the Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo on July 31, 2021.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images
PHOTO: Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, reacts after being defeated by Pablo Carreno Busta, of Spain, in the bronze medal match of the tennis competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, reacts after being defeated by Pablo Carreno Busta, of Spain, in the bronze medal match of the tennis competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Seth Wenig/AP Photo

Elaine Thompson-Herah defends 100m gold, Poland wins mixed-relay

The second day of track events featured an Olympic-record run by Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica in the 100m and the first gold medal in the mixed-gender 4x400 relay for Poland.

Thompson-Herah successfully defended her 2016 gold medal in the 100m with an Olympic record time of 10.61 seconds. Jamaica swept the event with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce taking silver and Shericka Jackson the bronze.

Poland was victorious in the first mixed-gender 4x400 relay in the 2020 Games, setting a new Olympic record set just 24 hours earlier. The U.S. team won the bronze.

PHOTO: Elaine Thompson-Herah of Team Jamaica celebrates after winning the gold medal in the Women's 100m Final on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Elaine Thompson-Herah of Team Jamaica celebrates after winning the gold medal in the Women's 100m Final on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
PHOTO: Poland celebrates after winning the 4 x 400-meter mixed relay final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Tokyo.
Poland celebrates after winning the 4 x 400-meter mixed relay final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Tokyo.
Martin Meissner/AP Photo

U.S. men’s basketball team finds its stride

After the first game loss to France, Team USA found its rhythm in the last two games, finishing the group round with a 119-84 win against Czech Republic. The effort was led by Jayson Tatum with 27 points and helped the team secure a spot in the quarterfinals

PHOTO: Bam Adebayo of Team United States drives to the basket against Jan Vesely during the first half of a Men's Basketball Preliminary Round Group A game on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on July 31, 2021.
Bam Adebayo of Team United States drives to the basket against Jan Vesely during the first half of a Men's Basketball Preliminary Round Group A game on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on July 31, 2021 in Saitama, Japan.
Eric Gay - Pool/Getty Images

BMX freestyle makes Olympic Debut

The 2020 Olympic Games has been a monumental moment in the history of action sports. Not only have surfing and skateboarding made it to the world’s largest stage, but the cycling discipline has also expanded to include BMX freestyle for the first time. Preliminary rounds were held today, with Team USA's Hannah Roberts topping the women's division in the park competition. The finals in are park scheduled for tomorrow’s events.

PHOTO: Charlotte Worthington of Team Great Britain jumps during the Women's BMX Freestyle seeding event, run 1 on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Urban Sports Park on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Charlotte Worthington of Team Great Britain jumps during the Women's BMX Freestyle seeding event, run 1 on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Urban Sports Park on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

US baseball wins second game against South Korea

The U.S. team won its second game over South Korea 4-2 today, coming off of an 8-1 victory over Israel in yesterday’s competition. The Tokyo Games brought back baseball to the Olympics for the first time since the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

PHOTO: Nick Allen of the United States celebrates a home run with teammates on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Nick Allen of the United States celebrates a home run with teammates on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Jorge Silva/Reuters

More scenes from today's action:

PHOTO: Members of the French women's track cycling team round the track during a training session inside the Izu velodrome at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Izu, Japan.
Members of the French women's track cycling team round the track during a training session inside the Izu velodrome at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Izu, Japan.
Thibault Camus/AP Photo
PHOTO: Katie Ledecky of Team United States competes in the Women's 800m Freestyle Final at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Katie Ledecky of Team United States competes in the Women's 800m Freestyle Final at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
PHOTO: Jamaica's Tajay Gayle competes in the men's long jump qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on July 31, 2021.
Jamaica's Tajay Gayle competes in the men's long jump qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on July 31, 2021.
Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images
PHOTO: Australia's Dani Stevens competes in the women's discus throw qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on July 31, 2021.
Australia's Dani Stevens competes in the women's discus throw qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on July 31, 2021.
Andrej Isakovic/AFP via Getty Images
PHOTO: Sheila Chajira of Team Kenya puts a fend on Ghislaine Landry of Team Canada in the women's on July 31, 2021 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan.
Sheila Chajira of Team Kenya puts a fend on Ghislaine Landry of Team Canada in the women's on July 31, 2021 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan.
Dan Mullan/Getty Images
PHOTO: Piotr Lisek of Poland reacts after competing in the men's pole vault on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Piotr Lisek of Poland reacts after competing in the men's pole vault on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Aleksandra Szmigiel/Reuters
PHOTO: Lydia Jacoby of Team United States competes in the Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Lydia Jacoby of Team United States competes in the Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
PHOTO: Verena Steinhauser of Italy walks past other competitors in the Triathlon Mixed Relay of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo, Japan, July 31, 2021.
Verena Steinhauser of Italy walks past other competitors in the Triathlon Mixed Relay of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo, Japan, July 31, 2021.
FRANCK ROBICHON/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
PHOTO: Kiran Badloe of the Netherlands gets into the water to celebrate winning gold after the race of men's rs:x sailing on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo.
Kiran Badloe of the Netherlands gets into the water to celebrate winning gold after the race of men's rs:x sailing on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo.
Ivan Alvarado/Reuters
PHOTO: Belinda Bencic of Team Switzerland celebrates defeating Marketa Vondrousova of Team Czech Republic to win the gold medal after the Women's Singles Gold Medal match on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Belinda Bencic of Team Switzerland celebrates defeating Marketa Vondrousova of Team Czech Republic to win the gold medal after the Women's Singles Gold Medal match on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Tennis Park on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Catch up on the best moments from the previous days' events

For more Olympics coverage, see: https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/Olympics

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