The USA is back on top in the medal count this morning, partly in thanks to the valiant efforts of Allyson Felix, Carmelita Jeter, Aries Merritt, and Jason Richardson. Track & Field is definitely one sport our community tunes in to, because a lot of our USA representatives look like us. Last night’s events did not disappoint to keep us on the edge of our seats.
In the women’s 200m race, 26 year old Allyson Felix was awarded first place with a time of 21.69, which is the fourth-fastest performance in history. This is Felix’s first individual Olympic gold medal. It’s no surprise though, as her coach, Bobby Kersee (husband of Jackie Joyner-Kersee) previously coached Florence Griffith Joyner, and she received gold in previous Olympic games.
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In the same race, Carmelita Jeter received the bronze, adding to her silver she received from the 100m only days earlier. Jeter’s return to the Olympics has been an awesome one to watch. Returning from huge speculations of performance enhancement and even by having a controversial coach, Warren Edmonson
For the men, the 110m hurdles had us holding our breath, and releasing it with a sigh of relief, as Aries Merritt grabbed the gold in that event, while his teammate Jason Richardson followed behind him grabbing the silver. What a proud moment for the USA!
In addition to those listed above we have:
- swimmer Cullen Jones who won three medals,
- swimmer Nia Neal who won a bronze,
- track star Sanya Richards-Ross who’s bringing home a gold,
- runner DeeDee Trotter who received a bronze,
- sprinter Justin Gatlin with a bronze,
- hurdler Michael Tinsley with a silver,
- long jumper Will Claye was awared bronze,
- young gymnist Gabby Douglas with two gold medal,
- tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams with gold medals, Serena’s individual gold,
- fencing champion Maya Lawrence with a bronze,
- Reese Hoffer won a bronze for shot put and,
- boxer Claressa Shields who won gold today.
Congratulations to all of our Olympic athletes!