Aside from the atrocious opening ceremony, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games are already turning out to be not just a well-needed distraction but a real cause for celebration by Americans.
The US teams are already out in front with the most medals, and though they’re not leading in golds, they’re not far behind — and the best is yet to come.
Start with some early, unmitigated triumphs: Gymnast Simone Biles returned to form by winning more Olympic gold and leading the US women in a stellar team final performance.
- Simone Biles has won more Olympic medals, eight — five of them gold — than any US gymnast in history.
- Swimmer Katie Ledecky set another 1500-meter Olympic record in winning her eighth gold medal — and 12th overall medal, tying her for the most by an American woman.
- The men’s gymnastics squad ended a 16-year medal drought with a bronze in the team final.
- The women’s rugby sevens squad came from behind in stunning fashion to upset Australia, 14-12, to win bronze, the first US medal in the sport.
- Fencer Lee Kiefer won the women’s foil individual gold medal.
- Twelve medals came from swimming competitions.
And there’s lots left to look forward to.
Team USA came into the Games looking to exceed its haul from Tokyo in 2021, where it won 39 gold, 41 silver and 33 bronze medals for a total of 113 medals.
America’s athletes have broken through the 100-medal mark at every Olympic Games since Athens 2004.
As of Wednesday, Team USA had won 30 medals — 5 gold, 13 silver, 12 bronze — and is on track to repeat or exceed US dominance at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
The premier track and field events, where the US men and women are expected to rack up gold medals, begin this Friday.
In soccer, the women’s US national team remains undefeated, as it waits to take on Japan in the semifinals.
LeBron James, Stephen Curry and the latest edition of the basketball Dream Team have barely gotten started.
After the first week of play, Team USA is just getting started, and Americans have reason to swell our chests.
And cheer for even more golds going forward. Go USA!