U.S. women’s 8 still the best in rowing

Overtakes Canada for 11th straight international title

The U.S. was in third place halfway through the race when coxswain Katelin Snyder shouted the magic words: “This is the U.S. women’s eight!”

The crew responded and did what it always does. It won.

The U.S. women’s eight is a seemingly invincible boat, with 11 consecutive world and Olympic titles.

Only two crew members racing Saturday remained from the boat that won gold in the London Olympics, and only one from Beijing four years earlier. It didn’t matter.

Canada led after the first 1,000 meters of the 2,000meter race. But when Snyder unleashed her rallying cry, everyone knew what had to happen.

“She yelled,” said rower Kerry Simmonds, “and we rallied.”

Tom Terhaar, coach since 2001, said the big pool of rowers fighting for spots helps account for the U.S. success. Said Terhaar: “If one has a bad year, they don’t make it — which is hard, but sport is hard.” Good PR for P.R.: Monica Puig won Puerto Rico’s first gold medal in any sport in Olympic history, upsetting Angelique Kerber 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 in the women’s tennis final.

She is the first unseeded women’s singles champ since tennis returned to the Olympics in 1988.

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic defeated American Madison Keys 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 for the bronze. Dynamic final: Rafael Nadal’s bid for his second singles gold ended with a 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (5) semifinal loss to Juan Martin del Potro.

The Argentine, who also upset Novak Djokovic, will try to pull off a third surprise Sunday when he meets defending champion Andy Murray. The Brit beat Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-1, 6-4. No hope: Spokesman Mark Adams said the IOC was “disappointed” that U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo called the victorious Sweden team “a bunch of cowards.” No action is planned.

“People are free to say those things,” he said. “We wouldn’t stop their right to express themselves, within boundaries, obviously.” Pulling the plug: Officials gave up on cleaning the green-tinged water in one of the pools at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Center.

Instead, they began draining it and planned to transfer nearly 1 million gallons of clear water from a nearby practice pool in time for the start of synchronized swimming. 0-for-1: The IAAF banned the only Russian in Olympic track and field, and she is appealing.

Long jumper Darya Klishina’s eligibility was revoked based on new information the governing body received. Klishina appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and a decision is expected Sunday or Monday. The long jump begins Tuesday. Also: Ex-Bull Andres Nocioni scored 37 points as Argentina edged rival Brazil 111-107 in double overtime . ... The U.S. volleyball team outlasted France 2522, 25-22, 24-25, 25-22 and improved to 2-2.