Advertisement

Bethanie's socks appeal in Rio

USA's Bethanie Mattek-Sands wore Stars and Stripes socks for the mixed doubles final

Brief stories from the Rio Olympics on Sunday: Socks appeal Eccentric US tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands is known on the circuit for bizarre fashion choices, once dubbing herself the 'Lady Gaga of tennis'. On Sunday, she unveiled a new look: Stars and Stripes socks, with matching headband and wristband, in the mixed doubles final where she and Jack Sock beat fellow Americans Venus Williams and Rajeev Ram. "Those have been in the suitcase a long time. I actually wore them at the US Open a couple of years ago. It was a last-minute pack," Mattek-Sands explained. "I said, 'You know what, I think this is the moment for hardcore USA. So I pulled them out for the match today." She added: "I feel the socks will be framed 100 percent with this medal. Definitely I think the socks will be retired." Triple to double A mixed day for Estonia's Luik family after two of their identical triplets completed the women's marathon and one fell behind and didn't finish. Leila, Lily and Liina Luik -- thought to be the first triplets to compete at an Olympic Games -- like to run together, so there was anguish when Liina fell victim to Rio's soaring temperatures. "We feel stronger together," said Lily. "When Liina fell behind I was like 'come on, come on' but for me it's so sad because you have to push to the end. I thought that maybe she's coming and (we could) finish together but it was very tough race for us." The 30-year-olds are competing in Rio only six years after they started running at 24. "This is amazing. We started running professionally at 24, we want to inspire all people who are afraid to start so late." Kuwaiti gunner With Kuwait's Olympic membership suspended, shooter Abdullah Al-Rashidi is competing as an independent -- with one upside being that he is free to wear what he wants. However, Al-Rashidi's choice of clothing raised eyebrows after he competed in an Arsenal shirt. However, he told the BBC he's no fan of the English Premier League football club. "I don't know, I just bought it," he was quoted as saying.