Spoiler alert: LGBT Watch at the Olympics is a regular feature tracking the nearly two dozen LGBT athletes at the London 2012 Olympics. In the U.S., NBC is tape-delaying much of the games on its local stations, yet live-streaming on the Internet. Some of the results listed below may not have yet been broadcast in your area.
The powerful United States women advanced to the soccer semifinals at the London 2012 Olympics with a 2-0 win over New Zealand on Friday in Newcastle, England.
Abby Wambach scored the first goal in the 27th minute and Sydney Leroux added the icing on the cake with a beautiful goal in the 87th minute.
Megan Rapinoe, a lesbian who starts at right midfielder for the Americans, did not score but played solidly. TV cameras caught Rapinoe and other teammates doing cartwheels after Wambach scored the first goal. The announcers said it was a tribute to Gabby Douglas, the American gymnast who won the gold in the women’s individual all-around on Thursday.
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Rapinoe was substituted for in the 71st minute as the Americans went into a defensive mode with a one-goal lead.
The Americans will face Canada in the elimination round, which beat Great Britain 2-0.
The United States has won two consecutive Olympic gold medals, and are seeking a third in London 2012.
In the other quarterfinal matches, Japan handled Brazil 2-0 and France came from behind to knock out Sweden 2-1. The semifinals will be played on Monday.
Sweden’s loss ends the medal hopes for the team, which features lesbians Jessica Landström, Hedvig Lindahl and Lisa Dahlkvist. None of the lesbian players scored in the match.
Women’s basketball
The United States remained unbeaten in Group A play with a romp over the Czech Republic on Friday, winning 88-61.
It was the 37th consecutive Olympic victory for the Americans, who have won the past four gold medals in women’s basketball.
Seimone Augustus, the only out member on the U.S. team, was benched yet again. She hit two of five shots, scoring five points. She had one rebound and one assist.
In Group A, the United States is 4-0, China and Turkey are 3-1, Croatia and the Czech Republic are 1-3 and Angola is 0-4. The top four teams advance to the knockout round.
The U.S. plays China in the final group game on Sunday, Aug. 5.
Women’s tennis
The American doubles team of Lisa Raymond and Liezel Huber lost in the semifinals on Friday at the London 2012 Olympics, and will play for a bronze medal on Sunday.
Raymond is a 38-year-old lesbian and she and Huber were the favorites for a gold medal.
The Czech team of Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka beat the Americans 6-1, 7-6 (7-2).
Women’s handball
In women’s handball, lesbian goalkeeper Mayssa Pessoa and Brazil fell from the ranks of the unbeaten, losing 31-27 to Russia on Friday.
Pessoa was substituted out in the second period.
With one match left in Group A play, Brazil, Russia and Croatia are tied for first with six points, followed by Montenegro with four, Angola with two and Great Britain with none.
Brazil plays Angola on Aug. 5.
Also Friday, France defeated South Korea 24-21 to move to 3-1 in Group B play. Alexandra Lacrabére, a lesbian, is one of France’s star players.
France plays Denmark on Aug. 5 in its final group match.
In another match played Friday, powerhouses Denmark and Norway, which have combined to win the last four goal medals in the sport, played a thriller not won until the very end. Norway won 24-23.
One of Denmark’s stars is Rikke Skov, a lesbian.
In Group B, France leads with 7 points, followed by Norway, South Korea and Spain with five points, Denmark with two and Sweden with none.
Individual dressage
Edward Gal of the Netherlands and his horse Undercover are ranked 11th after Friday’s round in the individual dressage with a result of 75.395. The Dutchman is gay.
On Thursday, Carl Hester of Great Britain and his horse Uthopia got a result of 77.720. Hester led after the Day 5 Review, but after Friday’s rides, Hester and Uthopia fell to No. 5 in the rankings. The Brit is gay.
Women’s team pursuit
Lesbian Judith Arndt did not add to her silver medal after Germany’s women’s team pursuit finished fifth behind gold medalist Great Britain, silver medalist the United States and bronze medalist Australia.
Arndt won the silver in cycling in the women’s time trial on Wednesday.
