The USA has participated in the summer Olympics since the first modern Olympics of 1896. The 2,322 medals won by American athletes in these summer games are the most among active nations participating. The same could be said of the 944 gold medals which is expected to break the 1,000 mark at Rio 2016.
In part one, the focus is on the Americans who have won more than one gold medal in the summer games.
When you think swimming, who is the first name to come to your mind? That's right! Michael Phelps! Phelps (pictured), broke the individual gold medal record at Beijing 2008 with eight gold medals including a couple close finishes in a couple races, one being the 100m butterfly (swimming) final, where Phelps edged Milorad Cavic (SRB) at the finish. Cavic would protest Fina, but overturned due to the evidence. His fourteen gold medals is now second to gymnast Larysa Latynina, who has eighteen gold medals in her career. Phelps is considering retirement after London, but don't blink, another record could be broken for Phelps before he 'retires.'
Prior to Phelps' record breaking performance at Beijing, it was Ray Ewry (pictured) who had the most individual gold medals amongst Americans in the summer games with ten. Ewry won four times in the high jump (athletics), four times in the long jump (athletics) and twice in the triple jump (athletics)-all at either St. Louis 1904, Athens 1906 and London 1908.
Also prior to Beijing, it was Mark Spitz who had the most individual gold medals amongst swimmers in the summer games with nine. Spitz won the men's 100m and 200m butterfly (swimming) at Munich 1972, the men's 100m and 200m freestyle (swimming) at Munich 1972, and was a member of the winning 4x100m medley relay (swimming) at Mexico City 1968, as well as ithe men's 4x100m freestyle relay (swimming) at Mexico City 1968 and Munich 1972, and also the men's 4x200m freestyle relay (swimming) at Mexico City 1968 and Munich 1972.
Also with nine medals is Carl Lewis (pictured, with the USA tag on the front). Perhaps the second most successful athletics performer, Lewis won gold on the track in the men's 100m (athletics) at Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988 and in the men's 200m (athletics) at Los Angeles 1984. He also was a member of the winning 4x100m relay teams at Los Angeles 1984 and Barcelona 1992. He also won the long jump at Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996.
Swimmers Matt Biondi and Jenny Thompson have eight gold medals each.
Another swimmer, Dan Schollander has seven gold medals. Also, another swimmer, Amy van Dyken Rouen has six gold medals.
12 Americans have five gold medals each.
18 Americans have four gold medals each.
60 Americans have three gold medals each.
190 Americans have two gold medals each.
In part two, the segment will be devoted to the notable individual solo gold medal performances of the summer games.
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