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4 to Watch: US Women Win Water Polo Gold, Team USA Cruises to Gold Medal Men's Hoops Game

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There should be no shortage of must-see action on Day 14 of the 2016 Rio Olympics. From Usain Bolt's final Rio race to semifinal basketball action and the U.S. women on water polo's greatest stage, there will be plenty to please your inner competitive nature.

Without further ado, here are our 4 to Watch on Day 14:

DON'T MISS THE ACTION: For a complete rundown of all the day's events in Rio, visit the streaming schedule page for NBCOlympics.com. Watch every event of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games live there, on the NBC Sports App and connected set-top boxes and catch the highlights in primetime on NBC.

1. NJ Wrestler Jordan Burroughs Disappoints in Quest for Back-to-Back Gold

Team USA’s defending Olympic and three-time world champion Jordan Burroughs fell short of his bid for back-to-back gold medals, falling to Russia's Aniuar Geduev in the quarterfinals of the 74kg (163 lb) freestyle wrestling competition. Geduev, a three-time European champion, upended the 28-year-old from Sicklerville 3-2 to hand the American just his third international loss and knock him out of gold medal contention.

Burroughs had a shot to claim a bronze medal through the repechage, but lost there, too, falling to Uzbekistan's Bekzod Abdurakhmonov 1-4. It's a surprising finish to the Rio Games for the wrestler, who chose "All I see is gold" as his Twitter and Instagram username even before he won in London and has remained at the top of his weight class in the event since the 2012 Games.

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While at the University of Nebraska, Burroughs – who started wrestling at age 5 – had one of the most dominant collegiate wrestling careers ever. He compiled undefeated records in 2009 and 2011 en route to NCAA national championships. In 2011, he became the fourth wrestler ever to win an NCAA championship and a world title in the same year. He opened his international career with 69 straight victories, a record unmatched in U.S. wrestling history.

"Hard work can really overcome any obstacle. Any type of adversity, any lack of talent, lack of opportunity,” Burroughs said. "Perseverance helped me reach this level."

Highlights From Day 14: U.S. favorite upset in quarterfinal shocker

MORE: Jordan Burroughs takes down opponent in Round of 16

See Past Highlights: NJ wrestler on a quest for greatness

2. Usain Bolt Wins Gold in Relay Amid Uncertain Olympic Future

Bolt completed his historic "three for three" quest in Rio with a win in the men's 4x100m relay, an event the Jamaican men have dominated the last two Olympic Games. The world's fastest man has already earned gold in two individual contests, the 100m and 200m, becoming the first athlete in history to win each event in three consecutive Olympics. 

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The 4x100m men's relay final could be Bolt's last Olympic race ever, but the sprinter has been coy about his future since announcing his intent years ago to retire from the Games after Rio. He later pushed back the retirement date, saying he would compete in the 2017 World Championships in London, but now it appears even that athletic event might not be the cap on his storied career. According to Newsweek, the 29-year-old Bolt suggested his coach was interested in seeing him compete in Tokyo in 2020. 

Also tonight, the U.S. women picked up the gold medal in the 4x100m relay and defended their Olympic title of four years ago when they set the world record in London.

See Past Highlights: Unique staredown between Bolt, Rival at finish line is one for the ages

MORE: Watch Bolt's incredible 100m from every angle

If the First Lady isn’t showing up for Wu or Thakoon, she’s probably not showing up at all. Instead, here’s Desirée Rogers, the White House social secretary, who still has enough juice to get a seat next to Anna at Donna Karan. Gawker thinks this could inspire populist revolt; we think Rogers isn’t well-known enough for that. Read more posts...

3. 'Melo, U.S. Men's Basketball Cruise by Spain in Semis

Team USA continued its dominant run through the Olympic baskeball field Friday afternoon, beating Spain 82-76. Klay Thompson led the team in scoring, splashing his way to 22 points with four three-pointers. Pau Gasol was the game's top scorer, dropping 23 for Spain. 

Carmelo Anthony, the leading scorer in Olympic basketball history and the most decorated Olympian in the sport, had 7 points on 2-11 shooting. He was 1 for 3 from behind the arc. Kevin Durant, meanwhile, had 14 points on Friday, moving him up to second on the Olympics' all-time leading scorers list.

[NATL] Meet Team USA: Men's Basketball Team

The team will face either Serbia or Australia in the gold medal game on Sunday afternoon.

The U.S. men's basketball team powered into the semifinals, beating Argentina 105-78 on Wednesday night. Emphatically ending a stretch of three straight close games, the Americans turned a slow start into an early ending with a 27-2 run in the first half.

See Past Highlights: Carmelo Anthony becomes USA's all-time leading scorer

MORE: U.S. throws down monster dunks against China

For any Olympic hopeful, going to the games just once is the crowning achievement. For New York’s own Carmelo Anthony, Rio will be his fourth. Bruce Beck has more.

4. U.S. Women Repeat as Olympic Water Polo Champs

[NATL] Day 13: Highlights From the Rio Olympics

Maggie Steffens and the U.S. women's water polo team downed an undefeated Italy 12-5 to take the gold medal for the second straight Olympics.

Kiley Neushul scored three goals for the U.S. Rachel Fattal and Makenzie Fischer scored two goals apiece.

Steffens added a goal and led the US with 17 in the tournament. The Americans have won 22in a row since a 5-4 loss to Australia on May 31.

See Past Highlights: Ashleigh Johnson changing the face of water polo

MORE: Maggie Steffens proud of fight Team USA showed vs. Hungary

[NATL] Potential Breakout Stars of the 2016 Rio Olympics

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