Internet celebrates divers Sarah Bacon and Kassidy Cook's first medal for Team USA in Paris Olympics 2024

PARIS, FRANCE: Americans Sarah Bacon and Kassidy Cook won silver in the women's synchronized three-meter springboard event on Saturday, July 27, earning the country's first medal at the Olympics in Paris.

Great Britain's Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen finished ahead of Bacon and Cook, who came in behind Yani Chang and Yiwen Chang of China. In the event, their total points were 314.64, per Fox News.

Sarah Bacon and Kassidy Cook narrowly failed to qualify for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

Only three years ago, Kassidy Cook, 29, and Sarah Bacon, 27, narrowly missed qualifying for the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020. This was their first medal together as synchro partners. “I feel like it's been a really long journey coming,” said Bacon when asked about missing out on Tokyo, per Team USA news. 

“I was hoping to make the Olympic team in (2021 for Tokyo); that didn't happen. So being able to make the Olympic team this time, and then also being able to do it in synchro with my best friend here at this Olympic Games, and then also walking away with the silver medal means I have no words to describe any of this,” Bacon added.

Cook competed in the three-meter springboard competition in the 2016 Olympics and finished in 13th. Both divers are well-known on the international scene with numerous feathers on their cap. At the 2019 World Championships, Bacon took home the gold in the one-meter springboard.

The pair's choice to remain together in the face of setbacks, emotional challenges, and other obstacles resulted in a silver medal performance in the Olympic arena.

Kassidy Cook became the first-ever women’s diver to compete in non-consecutive Olympic Games

Kassidy Cook also made history by being the first female diver to compete in a non-consecutive Games, she had previously participated in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“I think that my journey is an uncommon one,” said Cook in response to her eight-year hiatus from the Games. “I'm the first female diver to attend non-consecutive Olympic Games. And in between those two, I've been through a lot personally. … So knowing that my grit and my determination ended up working out means everything in the world to me.”

Bacon elaborated on Cook's response, saying that her family and boyfriend, Nick Jaworski, a former Mississippi State University kicker, were responsible for her general mindset.

“It’s been hard mentally,” the Indianapolis native said. “I remember having a conversation with my boyfriend before I decided to go for this Olympics. I just asked him, ‘Is it all worth it? What happens if I come back and end up not making the Olympic team.’ … And he looked me in the eyes and said, ‘No, you’re going to go back. You’re going to dive, and we’re going to make your dream happen.’ So happy that he talked me through that and pushed me to come back.”

With scores of 49.80, 51.00, 71.010, 72,54, and 70.20, respectively, the Americans showed their form from the very beginning of the competition. Although Cook and Bacon trailed closely behind Team China, their three consecutive 70-plus scores ensured a podium position.

Kassidy Cook on how staying focused ahead of Paris Olympics was key to Sarah Bacon and her success

Kassidy Cook discussed how the secret to her and Sarah Bacon's success was maintaining focus and obtaining a competitive 2024 US Olympic Team Trials ahead of Paris.

“I was super relaxed the whole entire time,” Cook said. “I was saying that I think our Olympic trials set us up well for this competition, because our Olympic trials are a lot more stressful than it is here (because we aren’t fighting for just one spot). We’ve competed against these girls internationally before, so we knew that we were capable of being on the podium.”

Kassidy Cook will be staying to support Sarah Bacon and the other members of the US Olympic diving team

Kassidy Cook will be staying to support Sarah Bacon and the other members of the US Olympic diving team, even though her competition at the Games ended the same day as the competition got underway.

“I’m done (competing at the Olympics),” The Woodlands, Texas, native said. “I’m going to stick around and support my teammates. I get to watch her kick some butt in individual. We have a lot of other divers competing and hopefully I’ll be able to catch some other sports, as well. But I’m really just going to try and enjoy this amazing opportunity.”

After qualifying individually at trials in June, Bacon will compete in the women's three-meter springboard preliminary on August 7.

US women's water polo team defeats Greece in the first round 

The American women's water polo team, the 2024 world champions and three-time defending Olympic gold medalists, arrived in Paris. Team USA defeated Greece 15–6 to start the 2024 Olympics with a commanding lead and quickly set out to secure a record fourth consecutive gold.

The Americans had a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 9-2 lead at the half after scoring six goals in the second quarter. The United States scored goals in the victory through nine different players. Jenna Flynn scored four goals on six shots to take the lead. In addition, Maggie Steffens, the all-time top scorer in Olympic women's water polo, scored two goals.

Tara Prentice and Jovana Sekulic each netted two goals. The US team (1-0) will face a tough test on the second day of competition when they take on Spain on Monday, July 29, at 9.35 am ET in a rematch of the Tokyo gold medal game.

Internet congratulates Sarah Bacon and Kassidy Cook for winning the first medal for their nation

Netizens were overjoyed after the duo won the first medal for their nation.

One X user tweeted, "Wow! That was amazing!"

Another wrote, "Wonderful! Congratulations to Sarah and Kassidy, silver medalists!"

"These ladies must be feeling proud of themselves, for helping to win Team USA it's first medal! #Paris2024," remarked one.

Someone else wrote, "Outstanding Performance. Congratulations. Well done.Go USA."

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