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At the Games: Track and field underway as Poland takes first mixed relay gold

The U.S. were the favorites after winning the event at the 2019 World Championships. But they almost did not make the final after they were disqualified for exchanging the baton outside the changeover zone in Friday's first round.

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Teams USA, Netherlands, Poland and Dominican Republic exchange batons in the mixed 4x400m relay final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on July 31, 2021. Lucy Nicholson / Reuters

TOKYO — Poland scored an upset win in the inaugural Olympic 4x400 meters mixed relay on Saturday, with Dominican Republic picking up silver and the United States taking bronze.

The Polish team, comprised of Karol Zalewski, Natalia Kaczmarek, Justyna Swiety-Ersetic and Kajetan Duszynski, put on a gutsy performance inside the fan-free Olympic Stadium after posting the fastest time in Friday's heats.

The U.S. were the favorites after winning the event at the 2019 World Championships. But they almost did not make the final after they were disqualified for exchanging the baton outside the changeover zone in Friday's first round. Organizers later reinstated them, citing an official's error.

The team consisted of Elija Godwin, Lynna Irby, Taylor Manson and Bryce Deadmon. Notably absent from the U.S. relay roster was six-time Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix, who was a part of the Americans' winning relay team in 2019 and is set to compete in the women's individual 400 meters on Tuesday in her fifth and final Games.

Biles out on vault, bars

Simone Biles withdrew from the vault and uneven bar apparatus finals at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday as the U.S. gymnast continued to wrestle with mental health issues.

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Biles had earlier stunned the Tokyo Games when she dropped out of the team competition following a poor opening vault and then decided not to defend her all-around crown.

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Simone Biles watches gymnastics action from the stands during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 29, 2021. Mike Blake / Reuters

The 24-year-old, however, might yet make another appearance at the Tokyo Games having not ruled herself out for floor exercise on Monday and beam on Tuesday.

"Today, after further consultation with medical staff, Simone Biles has decided to withdraw from the event finals for vault and the uneven bars," said USA Gymnastics in a statement. "She will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether to compete in the finals for floor exercise and balance beam."

BMX racer Fields out of ICU

American BMX racer Connor Fields suffered a brain bleed during a horror crash in Friday's Olympic event but has been moved out of intensive care, his team confirmed on Saturday.

Fields went down hard in a first-corner crash during the semi-final runs and was treated by the side of the circuit before being rushed to Tokyo's St. Luke's International Hospital.

"The doctors reported that Fields sustained a brain hemorrhage at the venue," USA Cycling said on Saturday. "After a night in the ICU, the doctors are pleased to report that there has been no additional bleeding, and no new injuries were found. Fields has been moved out of the critical care unit and will remain in the hospital until cleared."

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Top archer knocked out in quarters

The world's top ranked male archer, Brady Ellison of the United States, was knocked out on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the individual event, ending his quest for a first gold at his fourth Games.

Ellison lost to the eventual champion, Turkey's Mete Gazoz, 3-7 in set points.

"The Olympics are definitely the biggest thing that we shoot. It is just harder to win the Olympics," Ellison said.

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Brady Ellison of the United States shoots in individual competition during Tokyo 2020 Olympics at Yumenoshima Archery Field in Tokyo on July 31, 2021. Clodagh Kilcoyne / Reuters

USA baseball, men's hoops clinch quarterfinals berths

The United States beat South Korea 4-2 to earn a day off before the Tokyo Games baseball quarterfinals.

Triston Casas, a prospect for Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox, belted a two-run homer in the fourth inning for a 2-1 U.S. lead. In the next inning, shortstop Nick Allen's solo shot and a trio of singles made it 4-1.

Neither side recorded a hit in innings six through eight. In the ninth, U.S. closer David Robertson let in a run on a sacrifice fly, as some Korean players who put their hands together and bowed their heads erupted into short-lived cheers.

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Team United States infielder Nicholas Allen hits a solo home run against Korea in group B play during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at Yokohama Baseball Stadium in Yokohama, Japan on July 31, 2021. Yukihito Taguchi / USA TODAY Sports

Also on Saturday, Team USA clinched a quarterfinal berth in men's basketball. Kevin Durant led Team USA to a commanding 119-84 victory against the Czech Republic in the final group game at the Saitama Super Arena, north of Tokyo.

The U.S. ended the preliminaries 2-1 after dropping their first match to France, the first Olympic loss for the Americans since 2004.

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