Teammate Michael Phelps told him it was OK, and Ryan Held ran with it.

The 21-year-old Held laid bare his raw emotion and national pride after sharing the 4x100m freestyle relay gold for the United States by bawling his eyes out before, during and after the Olympic medal ceremony.

“I told them beforehand it is OK to sing, and it is OK to cry,” swimming great Phelps said. “It is good to see the emotion out of those guys, and it shows they really do care. They were so amped. As one of the old guys it is pretty cool to see.”

Held let it out to the delight of the world. Photo: Getty

Held, who swam the third leg of the relay, said he didn’t think he was going to cry.

He thought he was too tired to cry. Wrong. Photo: Getty

“I was too tired to cry, I didn’t think I could cry,” Held said.

How wrong he was.

“I’ve heard the national anthem hundreds of times, but as soon as that played it was just something different. The tears just started rolling down my face.”

Held said he was thrilled at his good fortune to have helped add to Phelps’ glittering collection.

“Holy cow, it’s unreal, unbelievable,” he said. “To be with him and to be teammates on his last hoorah, it’s amazing.”

The United States edged out France and Australia to win the event, giving Phelps his 19th gold medal.

Held’s show of emotion was not just appreciated by his teammates, with viewers universally labelling the swimmer’s emotional moment as “adorable”.

https://twitter.com/DianneG/status/762499177553104898

So Ryan Held is the name of my future husband…good to know…

— Kerri Guillette (@_Kerr_Bear_) August 8, 2016

https://twitter.com/jdsmitty1/status/762490304054210560

The unusual tennis preparation that amazingly worked

When you’re facing the world’s best tennis player, you’d think everything would need to go right if you were to win.

So you can only imagine what was going through the mind of Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro when – ahead of a knockout clash with Novak Djokovic – he was stuck in an elevator for 40 minutes.

Making things worse for del Potro was the fact he had no phone reception, but Argentina’s handball team, aptly named The Gladiators, forced the lift doors open after hearing the tennis star’s cry for help.

The player’s agent, Jorge Viale, tweeted a former US Open winner looking fed up inside the lift.

This is how Delpo started the day: trapped in an elevator at the Olympic village for 40 minutes. pic.twitter.com/EFNmOKqIwE

— Jorge Viale (@jorgeviale) August 7, 2016

Del Potro’s preparation somehow worked, though, as he beat the 12-time Grand Slam champion 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-2) in a big upset.

Olympic gold remains the only major honour Djokovic – who has won all four slams – has not claimed in his glittering career, and he was in tears after his defeat.

Sweet 19 for Michael Phelps

The most decorated Olympian of all time took his gold medal tally to an incredible 19 after the United States won the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay on Monday (AEST).

Unfortunately our Aussies never looked likely after a sluggish opening leg from James Roberts, even with Cameron McEvoy bringing us home.

“It felt good to get, after my last 400 free relay of my career, this thing around my neck. It feels good to get it back,” Phelps said afterwards.

Phelps (L) was a very excited man. Photo: Getty

If Victoria was on the medal tally…

It would be third.

As Premier Daniel Andrews, ever so smugly, posted to Twitter on Monday afternoon.

I know this may not last, but I just want to note that if Victoria were its own country, we'd be 6th on the medal tally right now. #Rio2016

— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) August 8, 2016

The Ghostbusters star invited to Rio

She is known for her hilarious tweeting of shows like Game of Thrones.

And after a swarm of funny posts relating to the Olympic Games, it appears Leslie Jones might be headed for Brazil.

Broadcaster NBC extended the invitation on Twitter, with executive producer Jim Bell posting to Jones: “You’re officially invited to Rio. Want to come?”

Yep we got us a medal Ginny Thrasher shooting that rifle! pic.twitter.com/0CzPxk1TS2

— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) August 6, 2016

The Aussie coaches robbed at knifepoint

Sadly, crime in Rio seems to be an ongoing theme in The Rio Report.

The latest victims were two Australian rowing coaches, who were robbed just after a team march on Ipanema Beach.

Male teenagers confronted the coaches and demanded money from them. One of the coaches was grabbed around the throat before they stole credit cards, mobile phones and team blazers from the Aussies.

Andrew Bogut headed for an “education”

Liz Cambage and Andrew Bogut have made up in the Olympic Village after their Twitter spat.

But the Opals star says she still needs to have a proper chat with Bogut, ominously stating in the Herald Sun: “I feel like I still need to educate Andrew, I mean, sorry, Bogut, on police brutality and racial profiling from police officers in Australia.

Liz Cambage is one of Australia’s stars. Photo: Getty

“So if we get some time and I catch him in dining hall, he’s probably going to hate me because he is going to get an education.”

Serena Williams’ advice for the Campbell sisters

The tennis star knows a thing or two about playing with her sister – after all they do dominate women’s doubles.

So, when informed by the press about Australia’s star swimming duo, Cate and Bronte Campbell, Williams had this message.

The sisters are expected to perform strongly in Rio. Photo: Getty

“I hope they can get gold and silver – I always root for sisters,” she said.

“As long as there are no Americans in there! They’ve just got to leave it all out in the pool and once they get out of the pool, family first.”

Horror cycling crash

Our best wishes are with Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten, who is in intensive care after a major accident during the women’s road race.

Van Vleuten suffered a heavy concussion and three small fractures in her lumbar spine, with no signs of internal bleeding.

Van Vlouten before her accident. Photo: Getty

Photo of the day

How good is this picture of Catherine Skinner after her unexpected but brilliant gold in the women’s shooting on Monday?

Well played, Catherine.

The Aussie in celebration mode. Photo: Getty

Another star spotted in Rio

It really is a who’s who in Brazil at the moment.

Much-loved actor Matthew McConaughey sent his best wishes to his American compatriots before a big night of swimming.

After stocking up w/ #TeamUSA gear @ USA House on Ipanema Beach, @McConaughey is READY to cheer … https://t.co/QvJpTLNBuq

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 7, 2016

What to watch on Tuesday

Once again the swimming takes centre stage in Brazil, with Mitch Larkin our best chance of success in the men’s 100m backstroke final.

Emily Seebohm and Madi Wilson are also huge chances in the women’s 100m backstroke final.

Australia are tipped to win the gold medal match in the women’s rugby sevens, too, meaning it could be a particularly successful day for those in green and gold.

Tuesday’s best events:

3.30am – Women’s Rugby Sevens – Australia v Canada (semi-final)
5am – Men’s Diving – Synchronised 10m platform
7.30am – Women’s Rugby Sevens – Bronze medal match
8am – Women’s Rugby Sevens – Gold medal match
11.21am – Swimming – Men’s 200m freestyle
11.30am – Swimming – Women’s 100m backstroke
11.38am – Swimming – Men’s 100m backstroke
11.54am – Swimming – Women’s 100m breaststroke

The Rio Report will be published every day through the Olympic Games.