By Elizabeth Ponce
Team USA has a history of dominating the Olympic Games. Leading the all-time medal count team USA has won a total of 2,404 medals – more than double that of any other country. In Rio, the saga of team USA is no different. After a few days of competition in Rio, team USA is leading the medal count with a total of 19 podium worthy performances.
The most decorated Olympian ever, Michael Phelps, has come to Rio and immediately proved he is still a force to be reckoned with, even at the age 31. On Sunday, the USA won gold in the men’s 4x100m freestyle race and with the help of his teammates, the veteran, Phelps, captured his 19th Olympic gold medal. Phelps’ total Olympic medal count is now at 23. Not bad.
Thus far, Team USA has won medals in swimming, diving, archery, fencing and shooting. In the next two weeks, they look to dominate all other fields of competition.
Still to come…
On 16 August, Sydney McLaughlin will make Olympic debut in the 400m hurdles, just a week after celebrating her 17th birthday. At this point, Michael Phelps has more Olympic medals than Sydney has years to her life! Sydney is the youngest track & field athlete to represent team USA in the Olympic Games since 1972. After smashing state and national track & field records, Sydney looks to make a name for herself on this world stage.
The USA men’s & women’s basketball teams show no signs of slowing down as they having been annihilating competitors on their quest for gold. Coming off of gold medal victories in 2008 and 2012, it looks as though the men’s team will end up on top again. After blowing out Venezula by 44-points, the men will face Australia in their next game on Wednesday, 10 August. The women will look to beat Serbia on Wednesday. If they continue on as they have, you can expect to see the team USA in the women’s basketball finals on Saturday, 20 August and the men in their finals on Sunday, 21 August.
The women’s gymnastics team looks to make a return to the podium following their gold medal victory in 2012. Returning olympian, Aly Raisman and newbie Simone Biles lead their team as they face competitors in team all-arounds and individual events.
Strong swimmers of every age will compete for team USA this week. Look out for the 19-year-old phenom, Katie Ledecky as she goes for gold in Wednesday’s 200m freestyle and Thursday’s 800m freestyle race.
Will team USA remain dominate in Rio and catch the gold they have their eyes on? To watch events and follow all the team USA action, head to NBC Olympics’ website.
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