2016 Summer OLYMPICS | Recaps of Friday’s other events in Rio

WOMEN’S SOCCER

U.S. falls; Solo sounds off on Sweden’s tactics

BRASILIA, BRAZIL

Taunted by local fans since the Olympics began and stinging from a surprising loss, Hope Solo called Sweden a “bunch of cowards.”

The U.S. goalkeeper criticized the Swedes for the way they played Friday in beating the Americans in a penalty shootout — a result that means the world’s top-ranked team will miss out on a medal in women’s soccer for the first time.

“I thought we played a courageous game,” Solo said. “I also think we played a bunch of cowards. The best team did not win today. I strongly and firmly believe that.”

The Swedes beat the U.S. 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the quarterfinals. They will next face either Australia or host Brazil.

“It’s OK to be a coward if you win,” responded Sweden coach Pia Sundhage, the same woman who coached the United States to back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012.

Tied after three rounds in the shootout, Sweden captain Caroline Seger shot past Solo. U.S. forward Christen Press’ attempt then went over Hedvig Lindahl’s net. And with the next kick, Lisa Dahlkvist beat an outstretched Solo for the win.

“Sweden dropped off. They didn’t want to open play,” Solo said, explaining why she criticized her opponents. “They didn’t want to pass the ball. They didn’t want to play great soccer.”

Sundhage knows the U.S. team well, having coached the Americans for five years and led them to a pair of Olympic golds.

“They played more attacking football then we did. We defended very well,” Sundhage said. “And the fact that there were only two goals and it went to penalty kicks said something about our defending. The U.S. played better in the attack, we played better in the defense.”

As Sweden celebrated, U.S. captain Carli Lloyd crouched on the field at Mane Garrincha Stadium in disbelief.

The three-time defending champion United States had been the clear favorites in Brazil to become the first team to win an Olympic gold following a Women’s World Cup title.

TRACK AND FIELD

Ethiopian shatters mark in 10,000 meters

RIO DE JANEIRO

What track and field really needed was a Usain Bolt-like jolt to steer the conversation from the endless string of crime, punishment and doping that nearly sank the sport over the past year.

What it got was a 10,000-meter world record from an Ethiopian who considers it her second-favorite distance, and a race that will go down as one of the best ever run at the Olympics.

While Bolt was waiting in the wings for one more day, Almaz Ayana opened the Olympic track meet Friday by running the 10K in 29 minutes, 17.45 seconds to shatter a 23-year-old record by more than 14 seconds.

“This was not my plan,” Ayana said.

It was quite an impressive race, even though the stands were maybe a quarter full when it happened.

How impressive?

The 24-year-old Ayana, who had limited experience running 10Ks on tracks and is really considered a 5K specialist, won by more than 15 seconds. She was halfway through her victory lap while the largest pack in the field of 37 women was making its way across the finish line.

Spurred on by her pace, 18 women ran lifetime bests. Eight national records were set, including one by American Molly Huddle, who finished sixth. And silver medalist Vivian Cheruiyot, bronze medalist Tirunesh Dibaba and fourth-place finisher Alice Aprot Nawowuna recorded the third-, fourth- and fifth-fastest times in history, behind only the new record holder and the previous one, Wang Junxia of China.

The confluence of fast times on a cool, rain-dampened track — perfect running weather — could help blunt the inevitable questions about how someone with little experience at the distance from a country that has spent its share of time under the doping microscope could shatter a generation-old record that, itself, is under heavy scrutiny.

Wang’s 1993 record broke the previous mark by nearly 42 seconds. Track’s governing body, the IAAF, has been investigating claims that suggest Wang was part of a state-sponsored doping program in her country in the 1990s.

Confronted with the improbability of her record, Ayana’s answer was simple.

“No. 1, I did my training, specifically in the 5 and 10,” she said in comments translated to English. “My doping is Jesus. Otherwise, I’m crystal clear.”

In the night session, with the stands barely more packed than in the afternoon, came a different sort of surprise.

American Michelle Carter won the country’s first medal since 1960 in shot put — and a gold one, at that — using her last throw of the night (20.63 meters) to beat two-time defending champion Valerie Adams of New Zealand.

“It’s tough, but it’s sport. Sometimes you take one on the chin,” Adams said.