turns out it's still fun. and now jamaican usain bolt wants nothing less than immortality. >> i want to be the next person that comes along that wants to be a great athlete, wants to be a legend. they have to work extra hard. >> explain to an american, being as modest as you can, how big you are in this country. >> i'm a big deal. everybody loves me. things that they always compare me to bob marley. for me to be compared to bob marley, the reggae legend, for me, it says it all. >> reporter: this island nation of just under 3 million will lose its collective mind if bolt succeeds in his quest for another golden trifecta in rio. >> first olympics and second olympics was big. so i know this one is going to be even

because everybody they look for me to do great. >> reporter: but it hasn't always been a smooth journey. seems like it's always something. from a segue mishap at the world championships last year to a more troubling hamstring injury at the jamaican olympic trials, and that ever present shadow hanging over the track. usain bolt has been at the top of his sport for nearly a decade and there's never been a credible link between bolt and performance-enhancing drugs. however, in track and field, as in many other sports, skepticism abounds. >> how does it make you feel that some people, absent of any evidence, might say he's great but i've got my doubts. >> i can't do anything about it personally. i just have to continue working hard, continue pushing myself, trying to prove that you can do it clean. >> reporter: and do it with showmanship and flare. >> number one, every day, all day. >> i've watched over

last, yeah, you did great, but tough make sure you close out perfectly. >> that was bob costas. that's going to do it for us tonight. reminder, nbc prime time coverage starts tonight at 7:00, 6:00 central. i'm lester holt. for all of us at nbc news, good night from

connecting arizona, 12 s

starts now. good afternoon, a huge congratulations to two of our arizona athletes in rio, bethany won in tennis beating out venus williams and her partner. >> and winning bronze in the pommel horse. >> the valley cheering him on,

side. >> and vanessa ruiz is in rio, and spoke to alex after getting his medal, and how excited was he? >> reporter: so excited. hey, gang. it's great to see you on this amazing day for our arizona athletes. alex nador clinching the bronze in the pommel horse competition, truly an unforgettable moment, and here's video of the olympic performance. alex could not hold back the tears as he nabbed the bronze in the event while great britain took home the gold and silver medals. many fans thought that russia would bump out alex as he was the last competitor, but he messed up the dismount leaving alex clear for the bronze. he won the us men gymnastic's

the father of one began crying waiting for the scores. it's been a long road to rio for alex. he was an alternate in 2012 in london, then married a world champion gymnast holly vice. he had to train for the olympics while raising their newborn daughter lila. i was told he'd sleep in a separate room away from the newborn so help wouldn't wake them up when he would train in mi that was the only time he had to practice with his full schedule because he's also a realtor, and today all that practicing finally paid off. >> i could scream if they'd allow me to, but i'm just beyond excited, and very happy that everyone back home is supporting me through this whole thing, and like i said before i was going to bring back hardware for everyone, and i was able to do.

truly appreciate the support. >> reporter: guys, listen to this, this is the first time that a us gymnast has won a medal in pommel horse since 1984, and our very own alex did it, and during the interview, these are his hand guards, what he used in the competition, and he gave them to i really cool gesture. coming up tonight at 11:00 i have an exclusive interview with him. and the other story today is ryan lochte, the superstar swimmer allegedly getting robbed at gun point early this morning here in rio. he spoke exclusive to billy bush from the today show and this is what he told him.

these guys came out with a police badge. no lights or nothing, just a police badge. they pulled us over pulled out their gun, told the other swimmers to get down on the ground. they got down on the ground, but i refused. i said we didn't do anything wrong so i'm not getting down on the ground, and then the guy pulled out his gun, and he put it tot my forward, and i put my hands up and said whatever. he took our money, he took my wallet. >> reporter: well , i can tell you the united states olympic committee put out a statement on the alleged incident. fortunately everybody is okay, but authorities are investigating, and all of the olympic events went on today as originally planned. guys?

team completed group play with a perfect 5-0 record. >> yeah, but they struggled against serbia and france, and you wonder watching the team how vulnerable they could be to not winning the gold. >> i didn't think it was possible, but you're absolutely right. they have struggled big time. their defense has really deserted them. they're getting exposed on a lot of back door movement and seam a step or two late. they have two days to correct the flaws before the quarter final, and we're in the win or go home stage. the shooting of klay thompson was great today though, and he had a game-high 30 points. he had 7 three-pointers. team usa won over france. on the women's side, another

finishing group play with an impressive 5-0 record. griner dominated the floor today, and they plan japan tuesday in the quarter finals in the knock out stage of the tournament. thanks. big night ahead in prime time. you can catch beach volley ball, the quarter finals for the women. simone biles goes for her third gold in competition, and bolt hits the

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on the tennis court it was an all american final this afternoon in the mixed doubles. >> venus williams and rahm taking on a hometown athlete, and she brought home some medal. >> yes, bethany watched sisters venus and serena win wimbledon two months ago, and now the mixed doubles. >> they win in rio! >> how do you like me now, they rallied after losing the first set and came back in the third and final set to capture gold likely ending the olympic career of 36-year-old venus williams, one of the best

resident bethany maddox sands. and golf has its first olympic champion since 1984, and it went right down to the last hole. >> his name is justin rose! >> how about that? great britain's justin rose sweden's stenson. and the american shot a bogie- free final round to climb up the leader board and claim the bronze medal. way to go matt kucher. >> i like him. a lot of people do.

so weather-wise are we talking about the return of the monsoon? >> well, it's going to be awhile. tomorrow 109 is the forecast high temperature. the average for this time of year is 105, so we could easily make this the 29th day of hitting the 110 mark in some locations here in the valley, but no chance of rain out there, but a lot of people are wondering how we're totaling up so far, we've seen more rain since 2010 in the monsoon with 205, so not a bad monsoon as far as the valley is concerned for the most part, but we need more rain in here, but on satellite and radar absolutely nothing happening now. just one small isolated thunderstorm to the east of globe moving to the south and weakening as it does so because all that dry air is quickly working into the state, so tomorrow the monsoon may be the

a 2 in northern arizona and southeast arizona. only a 1 here in the valley. just a very slight chance of a storm in the extreme northern portion of the valley. but we do have an ozone high pollution advisory in effect today and tomorrow as well because the air is sitting down here in the valley, but over testimony next several days it remains warm. 109 on your tuesday as well, and slowly start to cool the temperatures off. 3 the -- friday and saturday, and there's a slight chance of rain thursday, friday, and saturday. back with the news of the day

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we have some sad news to bring you tonight. a family has lost two toddlers after they both drowned in the backyard. >> here's the details on how it all unfolded. >> reporter: according to tempe police, the mother of the toddlers lost track of them for a few sedgeds and found them in the back -- seconds and found them in the backyard hot tub. the police responded to the home a little after 11:00 this giving the toddlers cpr after they were pulled from the above ground hot tub. they were twins, a boy and girl around 2 years old. they were taken to the hospital in critical condition, but at this time it appears to be a terrible accident. >> it appears the mom looked away for just a few seconds. at that age kids can travel a long distance in such a short amount of time and very quietly. >> reporter: police are

members. we'll continue to follow the story and bring thank you

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after simome manuel made history becoming the first gold in swimming she tweeted couldn't be happier with my first olympics with her two gold and two silver medals. >> she did a great job, and so did the other simone who's competing tonight for the final time. she tweet third degree picture of the final five on special k boxes. up next we'll check in one more time with vanessa in rio.

away.

another exciting night from rio. in just a few minutes simone biles will go for another gold. >> reporter: she's already won two, one for the teem competition and one for the all around. tonight she tries for a third gold in the individual vault, and tonight we'll have exclusive interview with alex nador, so keep it here, and for now back to you guys in phoenix. >> we're looking forward to that. 12news is always on. >> get the latest news as it happens no matter where you are on www.12news.com the 12news app and your favorite social media channels, and we'll see you right back here tonight at

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michael phelps, a gold medal in the final olympic race of his career! ?? >> for the olympics' very best, first reaching the pinnacle is just a launch point. they work to get there over and over again. their sights set on a new standard for all-time. he's not only rewritten the record book, but redefined what

the unprecedented. she sees the spotlight with dazzling flare. now again, she leads an american contingent out to reestablish supremacy in every discipline. and on the sand, they've been both dominant and resourceful. now tonight, another chance to move forward, closer to a familiar target. they've already proven they're the very best. now it's about launching record books. in rio, at the games of the 31st olympiad. ? sned ??