American athlete Allyson Felix and British cyclist Laura Kenny set medal records in their sports and Italy celebrated more track success on day 14 in Tokyo.
Felix, 35, became the most decorated female track and field athlete by taking bronze in a 400m final where Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas retained her title.
At the velodrome, Kenny became the most decorated female cyclist and the first British woman to win gold at three Olympic Games as she and Katie Archibald produced a dominant display in the women’s madison, which was added to the Games programme for the first time at Tokyo 2020.
Kenny, 29, also became GB’s most successful female athlete with her fifth gold, and sixth Olympic medal overall.
Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan’s bid for a golden treble ended when she took bronze in the 1500m, although she can still win three medals in three events if she gets on the podium in the 10,000m having already won the 5,000m.
Italy’s record showing in athletics continued with victory in the men’s 4x100m relay after a 20km women’s race walk win had earlier ensured their best ever gold-medal haul in track and field at a Games.
Meanwhile, 51-year-old Spanish race walker Jesus Angel Garcia became the first person to compete in an athletics event at eight summer Olympics.
As tears continued to flow on podiums, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach said these pandemic-hit Games had exceeded expectations because athletes had given them “soul”.