Former Quinnipiac star Ilona Maher became the first Connecticut athlete to win a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday, helping lead the U.S. women’s rugby sevens team to bronze for its best finish since the sport was introduced to the Games in 2016.
Team USA had never even reached the Olympic semifinals before this year, but the squad upset Great Britain 17-7 on Monday in its first knockout game to advance to the medal rounds. The U.S. suffered a 24-12 loss to perennial power New Zealand, the reigning Olympic gold medalist, in its semifinal, but starting the day on defeat didn’t slow the Americans down on their mission to bring home the program’s first medal.
In the bronze medal match, the U.S. faced 2016 gold medalist Australia and trailed 12-7 with less than a minute left to play. In the final seconds, Alex Sedrick broke away and ran nearly the length of the field to score the try that gave Team USA a walk-off 14-12 victory. Maher finished the tournament with three tries, one in each of the U.S.’s three group stage games.
New Zealand went on to win its second consecutive gold medal with an 19-12 win over Canada in the championship game. The Kiwis have medaled in women’s rugby sevens at every Olympics where the sport has been competed, and the silver medal was Canada’s second after earning bronze in 2016.
UPDATED PHOTOS: Olympic athletes with Connecticut ties in action at the Paris Games
Results from Paris Olympics Day 5
Niels Giffey, men’s basketball
CT connection: UConn
Giffey did not play, but Germany improved to 2-0 in the group stage of the tournament with an 86-73 victory over Brazil.
Up next: Germany vs. France, Aug. 2 at 3 p.m.
Tiffany Hayes, 3×3 women’s basketball
CT connection: UConn
Hayes led Azerbaijan with 10 points and seven rebounds in its 18-16 loss against Spain to open group play.
Up next: Azerbaijan vs. USA, July 31 at 3:30 p.m.
Ilona Maher, women’s rugby sevens
CT connection: Quinnipiac
Team USA lost its semifinal matchup 24-12 to New Zealand, then beat Australia 14-12 to secure the bronze medal on a game-winning try in the final seconds of the match.
Daisy Mazzio-Manson and Kelsey Reelick, rowing
CT connection: Yale (Mazzio-Manson), Brookfield (Reelick)
The U.S. women’s four boat won its repechage in a time of 6:32.48, advancing to Final A alongside China as the top two finishers in the race.
Up next: Women’s four Final A, Aug. 1 at 4:54 a.m.
Jennifer Rizzotti, 3×3 women’s basketball (coach)
CT connection: New Fairfield, UConn, Connecticut Sun
Team USA lost its first group stage game of the Olympics 17-13 to Germany. The defending gold medalists were led by TCU star Haley Van Lith with six points and three rebounds.
Up next: USA vs. Azerbaijan, July 31 at 3:30 p.m.
Kieran Smith, swimming
CT connection: Ridgefield
Smith completed his second Olympic Games by anchoring the U.S. men’s 4×200-meter freestyle relay to a silver medal in a time of 7:00.78. Smith swam the fastest leg for the Americans in 1:44.80. Great Britain won the event in 6:59.43.
Kristi Wagner, rowing
CT connection: Yale
Wagner and partner Sophie Vitas finished fifth in their semifinal heat of the women’s double sculls in a time of 7:04.12. The top three teams in each heat qualified for Final A, while the Americans will compete in Final B.
Up next: Women’s double sculls Final B, Aug. 1 at 4:30 a.m.
2024 Paris Olympics: Your ultimate guide to the athletes with Connecticut ties
Connecticut athletes competing on Day 6
4:30 a.m.: Sophie Hamilton, Great Britain field hockey vs. South Africa
4:34 a.m.: Oliver Bub, USA men’s pair rowing
5 a.m.: India Pagan, Puerto Rico field hockey vs. Spain
6:15 a.m.: Maggie Shea, USA women’s skiff
7:15 a.m.: Karlie Kisha and Beth Yeager, USA field hockey vs. Australia
8:50 a.m.: Ian Barrows, USA men’s skiff
1 p.m.: Alyssa Naeher, USA women’s soccer vs. Australia
3:30 p.m.: USA women’s 3×3 basketball (Jennifer Rizzotti) vs. Azerbaijan (Tiffany Hayes)
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