Gold medalists team Italy celebrate during the victory ceremony after the women's volleyball gold medal match between Italy and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
PARIS, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- World No. 1 Italy beat defending champion the United States in straight sets here on Sunday to claim their first Olympic gold medal in the women's volleyball.
Paola Egonu had a game-high 22 points through 18 kills and four stuffs and Myriam Sylla added 10 as the Italians outgunned the Americans 25-18, 25-20, and 25-17 in the final for their sixth straight victory at the Paris Olympic Games.
Jordan Thompson led the American side with eight points.
Italy did well in blocking and serving, from which they reaped 11 and seven points respectively.
Having clinched the title of the World Championship and the World Cups (2002 and 2011), the Italian women finally touched the Olympic gold medal under legendary head coach Julio Velasco, who had guided the Italian men's national team to win a silver medal at the Atlanta Games in 1996 and consecutive gold medals at the World Championship in 1990 and 1994. ■
Caterina Chiara Bosetti (front) of Italy saves the ball during the women's volleyball gold medal match between Italy and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Paola Ogechi Egonu (C) of Italy, Chiaka Ogbogu (R) of the United States and Gabriela Braga Guimaraes of Brazil pose after the victory ceremony for the women's volleyball at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)
Haleigh Washington (L) and Kathryn Plummer of the United States block during the volleyball women's final match between Italy and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
This multi-exposure photo shows Myriam Fatime Sylla of Italy competes during the volleyball women's gold medal match between Italy and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)
Paola Ogechi Egonu of Italy digs the ball during the volleyball women's gold medal match between Italy and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Myriam Fatime Sylla (L) of Italy celebrates scoring during the volleyball women's gold medal match between Italy and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Players of Italy celebrate scoring during the volleyball women's gold medal match between Italy and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Paola Ogechi Egonu (top) of Italy spikes during the volleyball women's gold medal match between Italy and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Kelsey Robinson (2nd L) of the United States attacks during the volleyball women's gold medal match between Italy and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)
