With youth, veterans and surprises, USA dominates medals in track and fieldRIO DE JANEIRO — The sprint distances belonged to Usain Bolt and Jamaica, as they have for the past three Olympic Games. Likewise with the longer distances, in which Kenya (and Mo Farah of Great Britain) again led the way.
New marks were set. South Africa's Wayde van Niekerk shattered Michael Johnson’s 17-year-old record in the 400 meters. Kenyans set Olympic records in the men’s steeplechase and women’s 5,000. Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana set a world record in the women’s 10,000.
There were memorable scenes. Bolt celebrating after his ninth career gold medal, crowing, “I am now the greatest.” Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller diving through the finish line to capture gold in the women’s 400. Brazil’s Thiago Braz da Silva, the local hero, dueling France’s Renaud Lavillenie into the early hours of the morning before winning gold in the pole vault.
Then there was the USA. Leaving other countries to their individual stars and notable moments, the world’s dominant track and field power once again lapped the field.
The USA claimed 32 medals: 13 gold, 10 silver and nine bronze. That's the most for the USA in track since Los Angeles in 1984 (40), and the most in a non-boycotted Games since Los Angeles again in 1932. Only one other time between 1956 and this year (30, in 1992) had the USA even reached 30.
Only two other countries in Rio, Kenya with 13 medals and Jamaica with 11, collected double-digit medals. Seven medals came from the middle distances and up.
To put the dominance into perspective, the USA took home as many medals as Kenya, Jamaica and Ethiopia combined.
They came from a variety of disciplines, from sprints through longer distances, in jumps and throws, from male and female athletes. There were some firsts (women.s 1,500, 3,000 steeplechase, shot put) and plenty of "first time sinces".
Ashton Eaton claimed his second gold medal in a row in the decathlon. Likewise with Christian Taylor in the triple jump, and with the women’s 4x100 relay. The USA made history in the women’s 100-meter hurdles, becoming the first country to sweep the medal podium in the event.
Allyson Felix, the underrated and often overlooked legend, won another three Olympic medals to push her career total to nine; she is the most decorated female track athlete in her country’s history.
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http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/21/32-total-medals-usa-track-and-field-rio-olympics/89074478/.
