Chile Defends Copa America
The final of the expanded, special Copa America Centenario tournament in the U.S. finished this weekend, with a familiar feel. As in 2015, Chile met Argentina in the final, and won in an upset in penalty kicks. Superstar Lionel Messi couldn't convert his shot in penalties, as compatriot Lucas Biglia couldn't and Chile finished with a 4-2 advantage for the victory. Chile became the nation to win at least two consecutive titles, and Argentina lost their third straight major final in a row (after 2014 World Cup, 2015 Copa). Colombia won third place over the U.S., 1-0.
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Spain Makes It Twice in Olympic Rugby
A week after the Spanish men took the last available spot in the men's Olympic rugby sevens tournament, their female counterparts took the last spot in their tournament. Finishing on top of a sixteen-team field by going unbeaten in group play and then through China and Kazakhstan, Spain then defeated Russia 19-12 for their Rio ticket. Hosts Ireland finished third.

But Host Russia One-Upped in Canoe Sprint
Host Russia couldn't take the overall medal lead at the European Canoe Sprint Championships this week in Moscow, finishing with 12 to Hungary's 14. Multiple golds for individuals went to Portugal's Fernando Pimenta in the men's K-1 1000 and K-1 5000, and Hungary's Danuta Kozak in the women's 500 for K-1, K-2, and K-4 (compatriot Gabriella Szabo teamed with her in the K-2 and K-4).

Argentina Take Seventh Champions Trophy in Hockey
The week-long, six-team Champions Trophy for women's hockey finished this weekend, with Argentina securing their record seventh title ever in the event after a 2-1 win over the Netherlands. The win sets them up for Rio well to step up from the silver medal position at London 2012, with the victory coming at the expense of the reigning world and Olympic champions and after already winning the 2015-15 Hockey World League. Rounding out the field were the United States in third place, followed by Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand.

Russia and France Dominate European Fencing
The annual European Fencing Championships took place in Torun, Poland this week, with Russia and France leading the overall medal table, with 10 and nine medals respectively. Russia, though, landed six golds to France's two, including all four team titles in foil and sabre for men and women. A total of eleven nations won at least one medal, including Estonia with one (gold, women's team epee), and Italy with six overall (including all three men's team silvers).

Slovakia Leads European Canoe Slalom
Host Slovakia topped the medal table at the European Canoe Slalom Championships this week, with seven overall medals, including a sweep of all four canoe-class events and a 1-2 in the men's C-1 by Alexsander Slafkovsky 
and Michal Martikan (Spain's Ander Elosegi finished third to secure an Olympic berth for himself). In the women's competition, both Great Britain and Germany secured three medals, highlighted by Kimberly Woods' gold in both the C-1 and K-1 team events for the British. Overall, eight nations won at least one medal, with gold medalists also coming from Spain and the Czech Republic.

African Weightlifting Champs End
The 2016 African Weightlifting ended in Yaounde, Cameroon this weekend with Olympic qualification on the line for nations' lifters not yet qualified through the worlds or commonwealth champs, or other IWF events. In the end, Tunisia topped the men's competition, with six overall/big medals out of eight events. They, along with Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Ghana, earned the right to send one athlete to Rio. On the women's side, Nigeria secured seven overall/big medals in seven events to lead Tunisia, Cameroon, and Algeria to Olympic qualification for one athlete each.

 - European Aquatics Champs Begin
The 2016 LEN European Aquatics Championships began in London this week, with Great Britain (in diving) and Italy (in synchronized swimming) leading the way early. In diving, the British ended with 11 medals in 13 events to outpace Russia's nine medals. Tom Daley led the way for Team Britain, with three medals - gold in the men's 10m platform and another gold and a silver in synchro events. Tania Cagnotto swept all three springboard events for the women to power Italy's six total. In synchronized swimming, Italy continued to find success, as the only nation (not Russia!) to medal in each event, finishing with nine. Russia was second again - albeit largely due to not competing in the team free event - with eight total, followed by Ukraine (7) and Spain (3) to complete the table. Russia's tally included gold by Alexandr Maltsev and Michaela Kalancha in the mixed duet, the first time to be held at these championships. Only four other nations - Italy, Spain and Ukraine - took part in the inaugural event. You have to start somewhere!