United States at the Summer Olympics

Last updated

United States at the
Summer Olympics
Flag of the United States.svg
IOC code USA
NOC United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee
Medals
Ranked 1st
Gold
1,105
Silver
879
Bronze
780
Total
2,764
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)
Other related appearances
1906 Intercalated Games

The United States of America has sent athletes to every celebration of the modern Summer Olympic Games with the exception of the 1980 Summer Olympics, during which it led a boycott in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) is the National Olympic Committee for the United States. [1] [2]

Contents

Hosted Games

The United States has hosted the Summer Games on four occasions, more than any other nation, and is planning to host the fifth:

GamesHost cityDatesNationsParticipantsEvents
1904 Summer Olympics St. Louis, Missouri July 1 – November 231265191
1932 Summer Olympics Los Angeles, California July 30 – August 14371,332117
1984 Summer Olympics Los Angeles, California July 28 – August 121406,829221
1996 Summer Olympics Atlanta, Georgia July 19 – August 419710,318271
2028 Summer Olympics Los Angeles, California July 14–30TBATBATBA

Medal tables

  Host country

Medals by Summer Games

GamesAthletesGoldSilverBronzeTotal Gold medals Total medals
1896 Athens 14 117220 1 2
1900 Paris 75 19141548 2 2
1904 St. Louis 526 767877231 1 1
1908 London 122 23121247 2 2
1912 Stockholm 174 26191964 1 2
1920 Antwerp 288 41272795 1 1
1924 Paris 299 45272799 1 1
1928 Amsterdam 280 22181656 1 1
1932 Los Angeles 474 443630110 1 1
1936 Berlin 359 24211257 2 2
1948 London 300 38271984 1 1
1952 Helsinki 286 40191776 1 1
1956 Melbourne 297 32251774 2 2
1960 Rome 292 34211671 2 2
1964 Tokyo 346 36262890 1 2
1968 Mexico City 357 452834107 1 1
1972 Munich 400 33313094 2 2
1976 Montreal 396 34352594 3 2
1980 Moscow did not participate
1984 Los Angeles 522 836130174 1 1
1988 Seoul 527 36312794 3 3
1992 Barcelona 545 373437108 2 2
1996 Atlanta 646 443225101 1 1
2000 Sydney 586 37243293 1 1
2004 Athens 533 363926101 1 1
2008 Beijing 588 363937112 2 1
2012 London 530 482630104 1 1
2016 Rio de Janeiro 554 463738121 1 1
2020 Tokyo 615 394133113 1 1
2024 Paris 592 404442126 1 1
2028 Los Angeles Future event
2032 Brisbane Future event
Total11058797802764 1 1

Medals by summer sport

  Leading in that sport
SportGoldSilverBronzeTotal
Athletics pictogram.svg  Athletics 358280223861
Swimming pictogram.svg  Swimming 265191150606
Shooting pictogram.svg  Shooting 583429121
Wrestling pictogram.svg  Wrestling 574642145
Boxing pictogram.svg  Boxing 502741118
Diving pictogram.svg  Diving 494746142
Gymnastics (artistic) pictogram.svg  Artistic gymnastics 404442126
Rowing pictogram.svg  Rowing 34322591
Basketball pictogram.svg  Basketball 272332
Tennis pictogram.svg  Tennis 2171341
Sailing pictogram.svg  Sailing 19232062
Weightlifting pictogram.svg  Weightlifting 17171246
Archery pictogram.svg  Archery 14111035
Cycling (track) pictogram.svg  Track cycling 13151341
Equestrian pictogram.svg  Equestrian 11242055
Volleyball (beach) pictogram.svg  Beach volleyball 72211
Fencing pictogram.svg  Fencing 6121937
Cycling (road) pictogram.svg  Road cycling 64515
Golf pictogram.svg  Golf 63514
Canoeing (flatwater) pictogram.svg  Canoe sprint 54413
Synchronized swimming pictogram.svg  Artistic swimming 53210
Football pictogram.svg  Football 5229
Water polo pictogram.svg  Water polo 46616
Art competitions 4509
Volleyball (indoor) pictogram.svg  Volleyball 44513
Taekwondo pictogram.svg  Taekwondo 32611
Softball pictogram.svg  Softball 3205
Judo pictogram.svg  Judo 24814
Rugby union pictogram.svg  Rugby 2013
Surfing pictogram.svg  Surfing 2002
Canoeing (slalom) pictogram.svg  Slalom canoeing 1236
Cycling (BMX) pictogram.svg  BMX racing 1225
Triathlon pictogram.svg  Triathlon 1225
Baseball pictogram.svg  Baseball 1124
Roque pictogram.svg  Roque 1113
Tug of war pictogram.svg  Tug of war 1102
3x3 basketball pictogram.svg  3x3 basketball 1012
Jeu de paume pictogram.svg  Jeu de paume 1001
Modern pentathlon pictogram.svg  Modern pentathlon 0639
Skateboarding pictogram.svg  Skateboarding 0235
Climbing pictogram.svg  Sport climbing 0213
BMX freestyle pictogram.svg  BMX freestyle 0202
Cycling (mountain biking) pictogram.svg  Mountain biking 0123
Polo pictogram.svg  Polo 0112
Lacrosse pictogram.svg  Lacrosse 0101
Open water swimming pictogram.svg  Marathon swimming 0101
Field hockey pictogram.svg  Field hockey 0022
Breakdancing pictogram.svg  Breaking 0011
Karate pictogram.svg  Karate 0011
Totals (49 entries)1,1058787792,762

Updated on May 26, 2024

*This table does not include two medals – one silver awarded in the ice hockey and one bronze awarded in the figure skating events at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

The United States has never won an Olympic medal in the following current summer sports or disciplines: badminton, handball, rhythmic gymnastics, table tennis and trampoline gymnastics.

Flagbearers

Summer Olympics
GamesAthleteSport
1908 London Ralph Rose Athletics
1912 Stockholm George Bonhag Athletics
1920 Antwerp Pat McDonald Athletics
1924 Paris Pat McDonald Athletics
1928 Amsterdam Bud Houser Athletics
1932 Los Angeles Morgan Taylor Athletics
1936 Berlin Al Jochim Gymnastics
1948 London Ralph Craig Sailing
1952 Helsinki Norman Armitage Fencing
1956 Melbourne Norman Armitage [3] Fencing
1960 Rome Rafer Johnson Athletics
1964 Tokyo Parry O'Brien Athletics
1968 Mexico City Janice Romary [4] Fencing
1972 Munich Olga Fikotova Connolly Athletics
1976 Montreal Gary Hall Sr. Swimming
1980 Moscow The United States did not participate
1984 Los Angeles Ed Burke Athletics
1988 Seoul Evelyn Ashford Athletics
1992 Barcelona Francie Larrieu Smith Athletics
1996 Atlanta Bruce Baumgartner Wrestling
2000 Sydney Cliff Meidl Canoeing
2004 Athens Dawn Staley Basketball
2008 Beijing Lopez Lomong Athletics
2012 London Mariel Zagunis Fencing
2016 Rio de Janeiro Michael Phelps Swimming
2020 Tokyo Eddy Alvarez Baseball
Sue Bird Basketball
2024 Paris LeBron James Basketball
Coco Gauff Tennis

Summary by sport

Aquatics

Swimming

The United States first competed in swimming at the inaugural 1896 Games, with one swimmer in two events winning no medals. The discipline would become a strength of the nation.

Current events

Event No. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
Gold medal icon.svg GoldSilver medal icon.svg SilverBronze medal icon.svg BronzeTotalBest finish
Men's 50m freestyle10/1019881988198864212Gold medal icon.svg (1988, 2000 (x2), 2004, 2016, 2020)
Men's 100m freestyle27/2818961908190814928Gold medal icon.svg (1908, 1912, 1920, 1924, 1928, 1948, 1952, 1964, 1972, 1976. 1984, 1988, 2012, 2020)
Men's 200m freestyle 15/1619001968197234714Gold medal icon.svg (1972, 1976. 2008)
Men's 400m freestyle26/2719081920192096722Gold medal icon.svg (1920, 1924, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1964, 1968, 1976, 1984)
Men's 800m freestyle2/22020202020201102Gold medal icon.svg (2020)
Men's 1500m freestyle25/2719081920192097622Gold medal icon.svg (1920, 1948, 1952, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984, 2020, 2024)
Men's 100m backstroke25/2619081912191215141039Gold medal icon.svg (1912, 1920, 1924, 1928, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1976, 1984, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
Men's 200m backstroke 15/1719641964196498522Gold medal icon.svg (1964, 1976, 1984, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
Men's 100m breaststroke14/1519681968196845312Gold medal icon.svg (1968, 1976, 1984, 1992)
Men's 200m breaststroke26/2719081924192454615Gold medal icon.svg (1924, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1992)
Men's 100m butterfly14/1519681968196886317Gold medal icon.svg (1968, 1972, 1976, 1992, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2020)
Men's 200m butterfly17/18195619561956105520Gold medal icon.svg (1956, 1960, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1992, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2016)
Men's 200m individual medley13/1319681968196857416Gold medal icon.svg (1968, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
Men's 400m individual medley15/16196419641964911222Gold medal icon.svg (1964, 1968, 1978, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2020)
Men's 4 x 100m freestyle relay14/14196419641964112113Gold medal icon.svg (1964, 1968, 1972, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2008, 2016, 2020, 2024)
Men's 4 x 200m freestyle relay26/27190819081920176225Gold medal icon.svg (1920, 1924, 1928, 1948, 1952, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984, 1988, 1996, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
Men's 4 x 100m medley relay16/17196019601960151016Gold medal icon.svg (1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020)
Men's 10km marathon4/4200800005th (2016)
Mixed 4 x 100m medley relay2/22020202420241001Gold medal icon.svg (2024)

Summary by Games

GamesAthletesEventsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1896 Athens 12/40000
1900 Paris 12/70000
1904 St. Louis 249/933410
1908 London 86/61012
1912 Stockholm 76/92114
1920 Antwerp 2210/1085316
1924 Paris 2611/1195519
1928 Amsterdam 2311/1162311
1936 Berlin 2811/112338
1948 Berlin 2811/1186115
1952 Helsinki 3011/114239
1956 Melbourne 2813/1324511
1964 Tokyo 4818/18138829
1968 Mexico City 5229/2921151652
1972 Munich 5129/2917141243
1976 Montreal 5126/261314734
1980 Moscow 00/260000
1984 Los Angeles 4329/292113034
1988 Seoul 4431/3186418
1992 Barcelona 4031/31119727
1996 Atlanta 4032/321311226
2000 Sydney 4832/321481133
2004 Athens 4332/32129728
2008 Beijing 4334/341291031
2012 London 4934/34169631
2016 Rio 4734/34168933
2020 Tokyo 5337/371110930
2024 Paris 4837/37813728
Total251187144582

Archery

The United States debuted in archery in 1904 at the St. Louis Games. Since the launch of the modern archery program in 1972, the United States has sent athletes to every edition, competing in most of the events since. Their most successful Games in the modern event slate were in Atlanta 1996 with two gold medals, and in Seoul 1988 with three overall medals.

Summary by Games

GamesAthletesEventsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1900 Paris 00/70000
1904 St. Louis 296/665516
1908 London 12/30011
1920 Antwerp 00/100000
1972 Munich 62/22002
1976 Montreal 42/22002
1984 Los Angeles 62/21102
1988 Seoul 64/41113
1992 Barcelona 64/40000
1996 Atlanta 64/42002
2000 Atlanta 64/40112
2004 Athens 64/40000
2008 Beijing 53/40000
2012 London 64/40101
2016 Rio 43/40112
2020 Tokyo 65/50000
2024 Paris 44/50112
Total14111035

Current events

EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
Gold medal icon.svg GoldSilver medal icon.svg SilverBronze medal icon.svg BronzeTotalBest finish
Men's individual 13/131972197219725319Gold medal icon.svg (1972, 1976, 1984, 1988, 1996)
Women's individual 13/131972197219722002Gold medal icon.svg (1972, 1976)
Men's team 9/101988198819961315Gold medal icon.svg (1996)
Women's team 8/10198819880011Bronze medal icon.svg (1988)
Mixed team 2/2202020240011Bronze medal icon.svg (2024)

Athletics

The United States first competed in athletics at the inaugural 1896 Games; the sport has been a strength of the country ever since. The United States competed in 11 of the 12 athletics events in 1896, with Americans winning 9 of them (not competing in the men's 800 metres, taking second in the men's 1500 metres, and having one runner but no finishers in the marathon).

GamesAthletesEventsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1896 Athens 1011/1296217
1900 Paris 4322/2316131039
Total343270214827

Basketball

The United States first competed in basketball during the 1936 Games, winning gold. Since then the country has been a perennial podium team, medaling in every event they've played – usually gold.

GamesAthletesEventsGold medal icon.svg GoldSilver medal icon.svg SilverBronze medal icon.svg BronzeTotal
1936 Berlin 121/11001
1948 London 121/11001
1952 Helsinki 121/11001
1956 Melbourne 121/11001
1960 Rome 121/11001
1964 Tokyo 121/11001
1968 México City 121/11001
1972 Munich 121/10101
1976 Montreal 242/21102
1984 Los Angeles 242/22002
1988 Seoul 242/21012
1992 Barcelona 242/21012
1996 Atlanta 242/22002
2000 Sydney 242/22002
2004 Athens 242/21012
2008 Beijing 242/22002
2012 London 242/22002
2016 Rio de Janeiro 242/22002
2020 Tokyo 283/43003
Total262331
EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
Gold medal icon.svg GoldSilver medal icon.svg SilverBronze medal icon.svg BronzeTotalBest finish
Men's 5-on-5 tournament 19/20193619361936161219Gold medal icon.svg (1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1976, 1984, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020)
Women's 5-on-5 tournament 11/1219761976198491111Gold medal icon.svg (1984, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020)
Men's 3x3 tournament 0/10000
Women's 3x3 tournament 1/12020202020201001Gold medal icon.svg (2020)

Cycling

The United States first competed in cycling at the 1900 Games, with one cyclist competing; John Henry Lake won a bronze medal in the individual sprint that year.

GamesCyclistsEventsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1900 Paris 12/30011
Total17222160

Fencing

The United States first competed in fencing at the 1900 Games, with 3 fencers each competing in a different event; none advanced past the quarterfinals.

GamesFencersEventsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1900 Paris 33/70000
Total4111833

Football

The United States sent two of the three teams to compete in football for the 1904 Games. They wouldn't medal again until the inaugural women's tournament during the 1996 Games. Since then, the women's team has come to dominate the medal count for football.

GamesTeamsEventsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1904 St. Louis 21/10112
1924 Paris 11/10000
1928 Amsterdam 11/10000
1936 Berlin 11/10000
1948 London 11/10000
1952 Helsinki 11/10000
1956 Melbourne 11/10000
1972 Munich 11/10000
1984 Los Angeles 11/10000
1988 Seoul 11/10000
1992 Barcelona 11/10000
1996 Atlanta 22/21001
2000 Sydney 22/20101
2004 Athens 11/21001
2008 Beijing 22/21001
2012 London 11/21001
2016 London 11/20000
2020 Tokyo 11/20011
Total4228
EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
Gold medal icon.svg GoldSilver medal icon.svg SilverBronze medal icon.svg BronzeTotalBest finish
Men's tournament 14/27190419040112Silver medal icon.svg (1904)
Women's tournament 7/71996199619964116Gold medal icon.svg (1996, 2004, 2008, 2012)

Golf

The United States has competed at all three editions of Olympic golf tournaments, including all 6 specific events. At the 1900 Games, Americans took gold in both the men's and women's individual events, with the United States women sweeping the medals. In 1904, the men's team event featured only three American teams, resulting in a guaranteed sweep; on the men's individual side, American golfers took silver and bronze. When golf returned in 2016, the United States had four men and three women compete in their respective individual events, with Matt Kuchar earning bronze.

GamesPlayersEventsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1900 Paris 42/22114
1904 St. Louis 742/21236
2016 Rio de Janeiro 72/20011
2020 Tokyo 82/22002
Total53513
EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
Gold medal icon.svg GoldSilver medal icon.svg SilverBronze medal icon.svg BronzeTotalBest finish
Men's individual 4/41900190019002136Gold medal icon.svg (1900, 2020)
Women's individual 3/31900190019002114Gold medal icon.svg (1900, 2020)
Team 1/11904190419041113Gold medal icon.svg (1904)

Polo

The United States competed at three of the five editions of Olympic polo tournaments, including the first in 1900 as well as in 1920 and 1924. The nation is formally credited with a silver medal (1924) and a bronze medal (1920), though American players competed on mixed teams in 1900 (along with British players) that took gold and silver that Games. Competing as a national team in 1920 and 1924, the Americans had an overall record of 4–2: losing a semifinal match in 1920 before winning the bronze medal game, then going 3–1 in the round-robin in 1924. The mixed teams in 1900 went 3–0 and 1–1 (with the loss being to the other mixed team).

GamesPlayersEventsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1900 Paris 31/10000 [5]
1920 Antwerp 41/10011
1924 Paris 41/10101
Total0112 [5]

Rowing

The United States was one of the nations competing in the first Olympic rowing competitions in 1900, sending an eight crew and winning gold. As of the end of the 2016 Games, the United States is tied with now-defunct East Germany for most gold medals in the sport at 33; the United States leads in total medals with 89 (next closest is Great Britain with 68). Of the 33 American golds, 12 have come from the men's eight, including 8 consecutive from 1920 to 1956.

GamesRowersEventsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1900 Paris 91/41001
Total33322489

Sailing

The United States was one of the nations competing in the first Olympic sailing competitions in 1900. Does not include a bronze medal as part of a mixed team in 1900.

GamesSailorsEventsGoldSilverBronzeTotalRanking
1900 164/1300227
1908 00/40000
1912 00/40000
1920 00/140000
1924 00/30000
1928 113/30000
1932 224/421031
1936 144/40000
1948 165/521141
1952 165/521031
1956 135/510123
1960 115/510123
1964 115/502356
1968 115/520021
1972 136/610234
1976 126/602136
1980 00/60000
1984 137/734071
1988 158/812252
1992 1710/1016293
1996 1610/10002218
2000 1811/1112144
2004 1811/1111024
2008 1811/1111023
2012 1610/100000
2016 1510/10001113
2020 139/100000
Total 192319612

Shooting

The United States competed in shooting at the inaugural 1896 Games, winning two of the three events entered. The Americans have won more than twice as many gold medals as any other nation in the sport (54 to China's 22).

GamesShootersEventsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1896 Athens 33/52103
Total573128116

Skateboarding

GamesAthletesEventsGold medal icon.svg GoldSilver medal icon.svg SilverBronze medal icon.svg BronzeTotalRanking
2020 Tokyo 104/400224
Total00224
EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
Gold medal icon.svg GoldSilver medal icon.svg SilverBronze medal icon.svg BronzeTotalBest finish
Men's park 1/1202020200011Bronze medal icon.svg (2020)
Women's park 1/1202000006th (2020)
Men's street 1/1202020200011Bronze medal icon.svg (2020)
Women's street 1/1202000004th (2020)

Sport climbing

GamesAthletesEventsGold medal icon.svg GoldSilver medal icon.svg SilverBronze medal icon.svg BronzeTotal
2020 Tokyo 42/20101
Total0101
EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
Gold medal icon.svg GoldSilver medal icon.svg SilverBronze medal icon.svg BronzeTotalBest finish
Men's combined 1/1202020200101Silver medal icon.svg (2020)
Women's combined 1/1202000005th (2020)

Surfing

Surfing was introduced as an Olympic sport for the 2020 Games, and the United States sent 4 surfers (2 men and 2 women) to compete, winning gold in women's shortboard.

GamesSurfersEventsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
2020 Tokyo 42/21001
Total1001
EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
Gold medal icon.svg GoldSilver medal icon.svg SilverBronze medal icon.svg BronzeTotalBest finish
Men's shortboard 1/120200000QF (2020)
Women's shortboard 1/12020202020201001Gold medal icon.svg (2020)

Tennis

The United States first competed in tennis at the 1900 Games, with 5 players (3 men and 2 women) earning a silver and two bronze medals, though the silver and one of the bronzes were part of mixed teams and thus not credited to the United States.

GamesAthletesEventsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1900 Paris 54/40011 [6]
1904 St. Louis 432/22248
1912 Stockholm 11/80000
1924 Paris 95/55106
1988 Seoul 74/42125
1992 Barcelona 74/42013
1996 Atlanta 74/43003
2000 Sydney 104/42013
2004 Athens 104/40101
2008 Beijing 104/41012
2012 London 125/53014
2016 Rio de Janeiro 115/51113
2020 Tokyo 115/50000
2024 Paris 115/50112
Total2171341
EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
Gold medal icon.svg GoldSilver medal icon.svg SilverBronze medal icon.svg BronzeTotalBest finish
Men's singles 13/161900190419043205Gold medal icon.svg(1904, 1924, 1996)
Men's doubles 12/1619001904190441 [6] 38Gold medal icon.svg (1904, 1924, 1988, 2012)
Women's singles 11/141900190019245027Gold medal icon.svg (1924, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2012)
Women's doubles 10/111924192419247007Gold medal icon.svg (1924, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2008, 2012)
Mixed doubles 5/8190019241924201 [6] 3Gold medal icon.svg (1924, 2016)

Volleyball

The United States did not medal in volleyball until the 1984 Games, winning gold and silver in the men's and women's tournament, respectively. The US has proven to be a powerhouse in beach volleyball, which was added as a discipline during the 1996 Games.

GamesTeamsEventsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1964 Tokyo 22/20000
1968 Mexico City 22/20000
1984 Los Angeles 22/21102
1988 Seoul 22/21001
1992 Barcelona 22/20022
1996 Atlanta 84/41102
2000 Sydney 64/41001
2004 Athens 64/41012
2008 Beijing 64/43104
2012 London 64/41203
2016 Rio de Janeiro 64/40033
2020 Tokyo 64/42002
Total115622
EventNo. of
appearances
First
appearance
First
medal
First
gold medal
Gold medal icon.svg GoldSilver medal icon.svg SilverBronze medal icon.svg BronzeTotalBest finish
Men's indoor tournament 12/151984198419843025Gold medal icon.svg (1984, 1988, 2008)
Women's indoor tournament 12/151984198420201326Gold medal icon.svg (2020)
Men's beach tournament 7/71996199619963104Gold medal icon.svg (1996, 2000, 2008)
Women's beach tournament 7/71996199619964127Gold medal icon.svg (2004. 2008, 2012, 2020)

History

Early Olympics (1896–1912)

Several members of America's first Olympic team in 1896. Standing: T.E. Burke, Thomas P. Curtis, Ellery H. Clark. Seated: W.W. Hoyt, Sumner Paine, trainer John Graham, John B. Paine, Arthur C. Blake. 1896 US olympic athletes.jpg
Several members of America's first Olympic team in 1896. Standing: T.E. Burke, Thomas P. Curtis, Ellery H. Clark. Seated: W.W. Hoyt, Sumner Paine, trainer John Graham, John B. Paine, Arthur C. Blake.
Margaret Abbott competing in golf. Margaret-abbott-gold-medal-1900-golf.jpg
Margaret Abbott competing in golf.

The very first modern Olympic Games that were held in Athens, Greece saw the Americans fielding 14 athletes that competed in three sports. The hosts, on the other hand, had 169 athletes competing and won 46 medals. The American team did its best, but managed to grab only 20 medals, being dwarfed by an enormous Greek team. However, the United States managed to get the most gold medals, 11, edging Greece that secured 10 golds. That allowed Team USA to finish first in the gold medal tally. James Connolly became the first modern Olympic champion by winning the triple jump, and Thomas Burke grabbed three gold medals in various track events, assuming the title of the most successful athlete of the 1896 Games. [7]

At the 1900 Paris Olympics, the US team featured 75 athletes, a significant increase compared to 1896, but still considerably less than the French hosts that fielded 720 competitors. The most notable of all American participants was Margaret Abbott who became the first female American Olympic champion by winning the women's golf. The vast majority of American medals were won in the sport of athletics where US athletes clinched 16 gold and 39 medals overall. Team USA won only 8 medals outside of track, four of them in golf. Overall, France dominated the medal standings, winning 29 gold and 112 total medals. The United States ranked second with 19 and 48, respectively, showing great efficiency, despite having significantly less athletes. [8]

The 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri were the first ever Olympic Games held outside of Europe.

Interwar period (1920–1936)

Jesse Owens Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R96374, Berlin, Olympiade, Jesse Owens beim Weitsprung crop.jpg
Jesse Owens

Jesse Owens achieved international fame at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, by winning four gold medals: the 100 meters, long jump, 200 meters, and 4 × 100-meter relay at Hitler's Berlin Games, disproving the Nazi theory of Aryan racial superiority.

Cold War era (1948–1992)

Bob Mathias became the star of the 1948 London games by winning the decathlon event at the age of 17. He would go on to repeat this feat at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, setting a new world record. Bob Mathias 1952.jpg
Bob Mathias became the star of the 1948 London games by winning the decathlon event at the age of 17. He would go on to repeat this feat at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, setting a new world record.

The 1948 London Olympics marked the first time that the newly communist countries, that were occupied by the Soviet Union after WW2, competed in the games. The Soviets themselves declined to compete, sending only observers, after a long hesitation that saw Soviet leader Joseph Stalin demanding guarantees from his sports officials that the USSR would beat the US in the medal standings. The Soviet officials told him that chances were 50/50, and Stalin ultimately rejected the idea of competing in 1948. With its newest political rival absent, the United States comfortably dominated the games, winning 38 gold and 84 total medals, 22 gold and 40 total medals more than the runner-up Sweden. The most medals were won in track and field, 27, and swimming, 15. The US basketball team won its second consecutive gold medal, defeating France in the final, 65–21. [9]

Gold medal game in basketball at the 1952 Olympics between the US and the USSR. The Americans won, 36-25. USA-USSR.jpg
Gold medal game in basketball at the 1952 Olympics between the US and the USSR. The Americans won, 36–25.

In 1952, Helsinki saw the Soviets sending a team for the first time. This was a beginning of a new era, as the Soviet Union would go on to dominate the Olympics for the next four decades. The Soviets viewed the Olympics as international battlefield, where they can achieve their political goals by winning medals, thus proving their system's superiority. [10] [11] [12] The Soviet authorities also significantly bent the amateur rules, that were in place at the time, by providing state-funding to their athletes who trained full-time and, unlike American self-financed amateurs, were de facto professionals. That would start a significant controversy, that will result in the amateur rules being abolished, though only in the 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, meaning that the Soviets benefited from those rules throughout their Olympic history. [13] The United States still topped the medal count at these games, winning 40 gold and 76 total medals, 18 gold and five total medals more than the Soviets who finished second, although the Russian state media falsely claimed victory, incorrectly utilizing a different system which attributed points for placings first through sixth. [14] American athletes won 31 medals in track and field, their most successful sport. US basketball team won its third consecutive gold, twice defeating the Soviets in the process, American boxers won all five finals they entered, and American weightlifters edged their Soviet rivals four to three in terms of gold medals, with the two nations sweeping all seven events in the sport. [15]

Bobby Morrow won gold in 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4x100 meters relay (track and field) at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. Bobby Morrow with wife 1956.jpg
Bobby Morrow won gold in 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4x100 meters relay (track and field) at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne.

Melbourne hosted the Olympics in 1956. There were calls for the expulsion of the Soviet Union following their invasion of Hungary, but the International Olympic Committee decided not to pursue any action. As a result, some nations boycotted the games in protest of the Soviets' presence, and the Hungarians themselves became engaged in a violent brawl with their Soviet counterparts in a water polo game, an event that was instantly called Blood in the Water. The US performance at the games was relatively successful, though it was getting harder and harder to compete with the Soviet machine. As a result, the Americans earned 32 gold and 78 total medals (second place in the medal standings), 5 gold and 24 total medals less than the first-placed Soviets. The US contingent was particularly successful in track and field, where American athletes amassed 31 medals. On the other hand, the US won only 2 golds in swimming, being unable to stop the Australian domination of the swimming events at these games. In weightlifting, the Americans and Soviets once again won all seven events, once again with a 4 to 3 ratio in favor of the US team. In boxing, the Soviets won 3 golds, while the Americans only managed to win two events. However, it was gymnastics where the USSR achieved its greatest success, winning 11 out of 17 events and guaranteeing the first place in the medal rankings. The US basketball team won its fourth consecutive gold, beating the Soviets in the final game, 89–55. [16]

Wilma Rudolph became the first woman in history to sweep 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4x100 meters relay at the 1960 Rome Games. Giuseppina leone.jpg
Wilma Rudolph became the first woman in history to sweep 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4x100 meters relay at the 1960 Rome Games.

The 1960 Rome Olympics saw the Americans losing their grip on their traditionally successful sports, such as track and field and weightlifting. On the other hand, boxing, swimming (where the Americans won 9 gold medals, while being controversially denied gold in the 100 meters freestyle, despite showing the best time), and wrestling produced unexpectedly good results, which somewhat helped to compensate for what was lost in other sports. In track and field, the Soviets won 11 golds, only one less than the Americans. The US team encountered many problems throughout the meet, such as a controversial disqualification of their gold medal-winning men's 4x100 relay team. In weightlifting, the Soviets, with the help of their state-of-the-art doping program, won five out of seven events, leaving the US with only one gold. 10 Soviet golds in gymnastics didn't surprise anyone, as the nation had always been a gymnastics powerhouse, but it did mean that the Soviets beat the Americans in the medal standings for the second straight summer games. The US basketball team, however, met the pre-tournament expectations and won its fifth consecutive gold medal, a noble feat, given that they had to compete against veteran pros from the USSR. The final result, 43 gold and 103 total medals for the Soviets to 34 gold and 71 total medals for the Americans, showed that America was no longer a leading force in Olympic competition. [17]

Don Schollander won 4 golds in swimming at the 1964 games in Tokyo, the largest individual medal haul in a single Olympics since Jesse Owens in 1936. Don Schollander 1964.jpg
Don Schollander won 4 golds in swimming at the 1964 games in Tokyo, the largest individual medal haul in a single Olympics since Jesse Owens in 1936.

There was some redemption for the US at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, as the nation returned to the top of the gold medal count for the first time since 1952. Particularly successful was the US swimming team that won 13 out of available 18 golds and shattered 9 world records. In track and field, the Americans also improved on their 1960 performance, winning 14 gold and 24 total medals, while the Soviets left Japan with 5 gold and 18 total medals, a significant downturn compared to their 1960 results. The Soviets, however, continued to dominate Olympic weightlifting, and, with the American program falling apart, the USSR produced four golds and three silvers. The Soviet Union hoped to replicate that success in gymnastics and wrestling, the sports that, together with weightlifting, were strongly associated with their athletic prowess. However, they encountered a zealous resistance from the Japanese, who used their home-field advantage to stun the Soviets, beating them five to three in wrestling golds, and winning five gymnastics championships to their four. Thus, Japan had a major influence on the US–USSR medals race, and most certainly helped the Americans edge their biggest rivals, while also managing to produce its best ever medal output and finishing in third place. For the Americans, despite their dismal performance in boxing where they achieved only one gold, the 1964 Olympics were a definite success, with the nation winning 36 gold and 90 total medals compared to the Soviet tally of 30 gold and 96 total medals. Therefore, the US topped the gold medal count, finishing second in the total medal count, while the USSR topped the total medal count, finishing second in the gold medal count. The US basketball team won its sixth consecutive gold, beating the Soviets in the final, 73–59. [18]

There were many historic achievements at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics but, perhaps, the most significant among them was Bob Beamon's performance in the long jump, where he improved the world record by 55 centimeters. Bob Beamon 1968.jpg
There were many historic achievements at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics but, perhaps, the most significant among them was Bob Beamon's performance in the long jump, where he improved the world record by 55 centimeters.

The 1968 Mexico Olympics became the most successful summer games for the US in the post-war era. American athletes amassed 45 gold and 107 total medals, 16 gold and 16 total medals more than the second-placed Soviets. The US swimming team dominated the competition, winning a staggering 51 medals and sweeping the podium on five occasions. The Americans also managed to medal in every single of 29 swimming events, thus achieving a unique feat. The US track and field team pulled off a stellar performance as well with 15 gold and 28 total medals. Overall, swimming and athletics accounted for more than 70% of all US medals, and ensured the first place in the medal table for the Americans, their second consecutive first-place finish in terms of gold medals, and their first finish at the top of the overall medal table since 1952. In other sports, however, the performance of American athletes was less convincing. The US weightlifting team continued to fade away, winning just one medal (compared to 7 in 1956), American boxers won 7 medals, though only two of them gold, US divers won 6 medals, and the men's volleyball team managed to stun the defending champions from the Soviet Union, beating them in five sets, but still finished out of medals; Soviets ultimately won gold, with their lone loss being to the US. In gymnastics, Japan continued to frustrate the Soviets, once again surpassing them in the medal standings. Last but not least, the US basketball team won its seventh consecutive gold medal, a feat not matched by any other Olympic team in ball sports. Very few would have assumed that this was the last time that the US finished first in the medal table in a fully attended Summer Olympics until 1996 (the Americans would top the medal standings in 1984 with the Soviet Union and its satellites boycotting). [19]

The Munich Olympics saw the Soviet Union begin its streak of topping the medal count at five consecutive summer games in which they participated (1972–1992, though in 1992 they would compete as the Unified Team as the USSR dissolved half a year prior to the games, and the newly independent countries decided to compete together). The sporting nature of the event was largely overshadowed by the Munich massacre in the second week, in which eleven Israeli athletes and coaches and a West German police officer at Olympic village were killed by Black September terrorists. There were multiple calls to cancel the games after the terrorist attack, but the IOC declined. From a sporting standpoint, these games were one of the most controversial in history, with many accusing the organizing committee of anti-Americanism and trying to appease the Soviet Union and East Germany. Indeed, these were one of the strangest Olympics ever for American athletes. US world record holders in the 100 meters were given the wrong starting time and were unable to compete in the event, thus paving the way for a Soviet to win. In swimming, the US gold medal winner in the 400 meters freestyle was stripped of his medal for using his prescription asthma medication, also depriving him of a chance at multiple medals. US boxers complained that they were judged unfairly in the bouts against their communist counterparts. In shooting, a US athlete initially won the 50 meters rifle only to be relegated to silver after a "review". Finally, in the most controversial event of the games, and one of the most controversial events of all time, the US basketball team was denied gold after apparently winning the final match against the Soviet Union. The final three seconds of the game were replayed three times until the Soviets came out on top. The Americans did not accept the silver medals, believing that they were robbed. This was the first US loss in Olympic basketball history and it ended the Americans' 63-game winning streak in Olympic basketball. In general, the US team greatly underperformed at these games, winning only 6 gold medals in track and field to the East Germans' 8 and Soviets' 9, though the Americans still won the most total medals, 22. In boxing, the Cubans and Soviets dominated, winning three and two championships, respectively, while the US won only one gold and four medals overall (compared to the Soviets' two and Cubans' five). In diving, the Americans won three medals; in soccer, the USSR and GDR fixed a bronze medal game, playing a tie, so both teams received bronze; in gymnastics, the Soviets edged their old rivals Japan to top the medal count; in weightlifting, the Soviets and Bulgarians won three golds each; in wrestling, the US team surprised with three golds in freestyle, yet the Soviets still dwarfed their medal tally with nine golds in freestyle and Greco-Roman (14–6 in total medals). In water polo, the Americans struck bronze, tying the eventual gold medalists the Soviet Union in the final round. Swimming was the only sport where the American team did not disappoint, winning 17 gold and 43 total medals, a good result, but still less than four years earlier. American women dominated swimming for the last time until 1992, as by 1976 they would be overtaken by East German dopers. [20]

In 1976, Margaret Murdock captured the silver in the three positions shooting event. Lanny Bassham and Murdock tied for the first place, but Murdock was placed second after review of the targets. Bassham suggested that two gold medals be given, and after this request was declined, asked Murdock to share the top step with him at the award ceremony. Women had no separate shooting events at the time and were allowed to compete with men. Murdock became the first woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting. Margaret Murdock, Lanny Bassham and Werner Seibold 1976.jpg
In 1976, Margaret Murdock captured the silver in the three positions shooting event. Lanny Bassham and Murdock tied for the first place, but Murdock was placed second after review of the targets. Bassham suggested that two gold medals be given, and after this request was declined, asked Murdock to share the top step with him at the award ceremony. Women had no separate shooting events at the time and were allowed to compete with men. Murdock became the first woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting.

The Eastern Bloc utterly dominated the 1976 Montreal Olympics, with seven communist countries placing in the top ten of the medal table. The United States team was relegated to a third place in the medal standings for the first time in its history, courtesy of Soviet and East German doping systems and their use of professional athletes. This was the Olympics of contrasts: the US men's swimming team, despite a generally dismal showing of the delegation, obliterated their sport, sweeping 12 gold and 27 total medals in the 13 events that were on the program and shattering 11 world records in the process (this was arguably the most dominant performance of any swimming team in history), [22] while the US women's swimming team, on the other hand, fell victim to the unbeatable East German dopers. They still managed to win a gold medal, in a shocking upset against East Germans in the 4x100 freestyle relay. The event was held on the last day of the swimming program, and the American women were risking to get shut out of gold for the first time in the US Olympic history. The victory was somewhat overlooked at the time, but since the early 1990s, when the crimes of the Soviet Bloc started to unravel, their gold medal is often considered to be one of the most improbable and heroic upsets of all time. [23] In track and field, both the US men's and women's team were overwhelmed by East Germans who, as their Soviet masters expected, stole away a bulk of medals from the US in its signature sports, thus allowing the Soviets to win the medal table virtually unchallenged. The US boxing team surprised everyone, advancing to six gold medal bouts and winning five of them, drawing parallels to a stellar 1952 team that also took 5 golds. The achievement was even more momentous due to the fact that the American boxers were significantly younger and less experienced than their Cuban and Soviet counterparts. [24] In other sports, US divers won 5 medals, including two golds; the US equestrian team took home 4 medals; American shooters won three medals, including a historic silver by a woman in the mixed 50 meters rifle three positions; US freestyle wrestlers advanced to four gold medal bouts, yet won only one of them (all four were against the Soviets), concluding the meet with 6 medals overall. The US men's basketball team reclaimed the gold medal, while the women's team won a surprising silver, being ranked no higher than sixth prior to the start of the tournament. The Soviets and East Germans were unstoppable in canoeing, gymnastics, rowing, weightlifting and wrestling, going 1–2 in the medal standings (49 gold and 125 total medals for the Soviets, and 40 gold and 90 total medals for East Germans). The US won medals in 14 sports, finishing third with 34 gold and 94 total medals. The most successful day for the Americans was July 31 when they won 8 gold and 18 total medals. [25]

The 1980 Summer Olympics marked another first for the United States, as the nation led by far the largest and most significant boycott in the Olympic history. The boycott was motivated by the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, as well as by flagrant human rights violations in the USSR, and the regime's anti-Semitic policies. [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] The Soviet state-run media ridiculed the Americans as sore losers who could not get over the fact that they were no longer a perennial Olympic power, and simply didn't want to be embarrassed by the Soviets who would thrash them in the medal count. Indeed, all medal predictions pointed to an inevitable Soviet victory with 55–60 gold medals. East Germans were forecast to win 40–45 gold medals, while the Americans would wind up in third place with 30–35 golds. However, the world would never know what would have happened, as the United States and 65 other countries chose not to attend the Moscow Games, leaving them with the smallest attendance since 1956. Predictably, the great majority of the medals were taken by the host country and East Germany in what was the most skewed medal tally since 1904. [31] The Soviets amassed 80 gold (all-time record) and 195 total (second-best result after the US in 1904) medals in their anticlimactic performance. [32]

President Ronald Reagan and Mary Lou Retton with the U.S. Olympic Team in Los Angeles, 1984. she had just recovered in time from surgery. She put forth a valiant effort for the all-around title, and in the end Retton exploded for two perfect 10s and defeated her Soviet-bloc competitor by .05 points for the gold medal. President Ronald Reagan with Mary Lou Retton and the 1984 United States Olympic team.jpg
President Ronald Reagan and Mary Lou Retton with the U.S. Olympic Team in Los Angeles, 1984. she had just recovered in time from surgery. She put forth a valiant effort for the all-around title, and in the end Retton exploded for two perfect 10s and defeated her Soviet-bloc competitor by .05 points for the gold medal.

In 1984, Los Angeles witnessed what was considered a retaliatory boycott by the Soviets and their satellites, although the Soviets cited security concerns and "chauvinistic sentiments and an anti-Soviet hysteria being whipped up in the United States." However, no threat to Eastern Bloc athletes was ever discovered, and the athletes from the Eastern Bloc country that did attend the 1984 games in Los AngelesRomaniaencountered no problems, and in fact were widely cheered above all other visiting nations at the Opening Ceremonies when they marched into the Coliseum (Romania ended up finishing third in overall medal count at the Games). The move by the Soviets left many "dumbfounded", as it was expected that they would try to thrash the US on their soil, thus achieving a significant propaganda victory. The forecasts again heavily favored the Soviet Union, with the Soviet athletes being expected to rack up 60–65 gold medals compared to 35–45 by the second-placed Americans. That didn't happen. Furthermore, despite the Soviet boycott, a record 140 nations (including China that participated for the first time since 1952) attended the games. [33]

There were fears that the Soviet Union would boycott the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul as well because South Korea had no diplomatic relations with the USSR, which recognised and supported only North Korea. However, the policies of Perestroika that were initiated by Gorbachev in 1985 led to the Soviet participation in the games. Cuba, clearly not understanding such a betrayal, decided to boycott the Olympics on its own, impacting the boxing field as a result. The Soviet Union was steadily moving towards its ultimate collapse but its sporting empire was still in its prime. The Soviets and their close allies from East Germany utterly dominated the games, winning 55 and 37 gold medals respectively (132 and 102 total medals).

During the Cold War period the Americans did their best to challenge the Soviets, but the playing field was not level. The Soviet athletes were funded by the state and trained full-time, while the US strictly obeyed the amateur rules and its athletes were primarily self-financed students who were significantly younger and less experienced than the Soviet veterans. In addition to that, the Soviets developed a state-sponsored doping system, and supplied performance-enhancing drugs to the vast majority of their athletes. [34] Furthermore, they heavily invested in the development of a similar system in their satellite nation, East Germany, with a specific goal of making East Germans highly competitive in swimming and track and field, so that they can reduce the number of medals the Americans win in their signature sports. Unfortunately for the US, the Soviet strategy worked, and the gap between the USSR and US widened every four years until the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1972, the Soviets won 50 gold and 99 total medals to the Americans' 33 and 94; in 1976, the USSR amassed 49 gold and 125 total medals to the Americans' 34 and 94; 1980 Olympics were boycotted by the US and its allies, the Soviets retaliated in 1984 by boycotting the LA Olympics together with their satellites; finally, in 1988, the USSR won 55 gold and 132 total medals to the Americans' 36 and 94 (the US finished third at those games, losing even to the East Germans). In 1992, the Soviets still fielded a team despite the dissolution of their state, yet the margin of their victory over the Americans became narrower: 45 gold and 112 total medals to the Americans' 37 and 108. By 1996, every former Soviet republic formed its own National Olympic Committee, and the countries participated as independent nations, with Russia assuming the Soviet place in the IOC and inheriting Soviet achievements as by far the largest of the former Soviet republics. So, in 1996, the Americans finally managed to return to the top spot in the medal rankings, winning 44 gold and 101 total medals compared to 26 gold and 63 total medals won by the second-placed Russians, thanks to the partial abolition of the amateur rules in the early 1990s (the American athletes still were not state-sponsored, unlike their foreign counterparts, but they were now eligible for prize money and sponsorships). They were still disadvantaged by these rules in those sports where they were not abolished (i.e. boxing, baseball, where Cubans continued to field state-sponsored pros against American amateurs), but the situation started improving.

Modern period (1996–present)

Russia–United States rivalry

Russia (in all its incarnations) and the United States have won more Olympic medals than any other nation. [35] Russia topped the overall medal count at 7 Summer Olympics and 8 Winter Olympics, while the United States placed first at 19 Summer Olympics and 1 Winter Olympics. The countries developed a strong rivalry during the Cold War, and while the tensions eased in the 1990s, the relations deteriorated in 2014 and 2016, and the rivalry became even more heated. [36]

Medal totals of the Soviet Union/Unified Team/Russia/ROC [37] [38] [39] and the United States [40] since 1952, when the Soviet Union started to compete:

Overall, the United States (18961976, 1984–present) has won 1,105 gold and 2,764 total medals, and Russia (in all of its previous forms) (1900, 19081912, 19521980, 1988–present) has won 608 gold and 1,625 total medals.

Basketball

Inside view (in 2014) of the Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, where the final was played AudiDomeFCB.jpg
Inside view (in 2014) of the Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, where the final was played

The United States and Soviet Union sporting adversary reached its peak during the Cold war. The U.S. men's team was considered a favorite in the run-up to the 1972 Games. Since the first Olympic basketball tournament at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, the Americans have not lost a single game, winning seven consecutive gold medals in a dominating fashion. Their record reached an unprecedented 63-0 before the final game. Since the 1952 tournament the Soviet team challenged the Americans, winning silver in 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964 and bronze in 1968. Outside of the Olympics, the Soviets had already defeated the U.S. team in the World Championship play. However, the Americans never sent their best collegiate players to that tournament.

The Olympics strictly prohibited any involvement of professional athletes at the time. The Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries used that rule to their advantage, listing all its top players as soldiers or workers what allowed them to breach the amateur rules. Western experts classified these athletes as professionals. [41] On the other hand, leading American players were unable to play in the Olympics as they were officially professional and played in the NBA. That disadvantage had not prevented the Americans from winning the first seven Olympic basketball tournaments without a single defeat.

The confrontation of the Soviet Union and United States on the basketball court was deeply connected to the confrontation on the political front. Many American viewers assumed that 1972 Games were openly anti-American. [42] There were rumors that the Communist party had bribed the officials because they wanted the USSR to win 50 gold medals at these Olympics in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Soviet Union. [43]

The United States team was the youngest in history. American players usually participated in the Olympics once before turning pro, and the U.S. team always had new players every four years. The 1972 team did not have a clear leader. A rising star Bill Walton declined an invitation to participate. Nevertheless, the team was heavily favored featuring such players as Doug Collins or Tommy Burleson (the tallest player among all teams).

The young American team was confronted by a veteran Soviet team, featuring stars Sergei Belov, Modestas Paulauskas, and Alexander Belov. The players had played together for more than seven years. For Gennadi Volnov it was the fourth Olympic appearance.

The Soviets performed strongly at the beginning, winning the first half 26:21. The Soviets kept the Americans 4–8 points behind during the first half.

In the second half Soviets targeted Dwight Jones, as they considered him the leader of the U.S. team. On the 28th minute he was provoked by Mikheil Korkia and responded. Both players were sent off. The Soviets were satisfied, as they deemed Korkia less significant for them than Jones for the Americans. The next minute Alexander Belov hit Jim Brewer during the free-throw, and Brewer was unable to continue playing. According to the Americans, the referees did not notice the foul.

With 10 minutes left, the Soviets increased their lead to 10 points. After that Americans finally started to press the Soviets. It helped them to cut the deficit to 1 point. Soviet players started to feel nervous. With less than a minute left, Doug Collins stole a Soviet pass at halfcourt and was fouled hard by Zurab Sakandelidze as he drove toward the basket, being knocked down into the basket stanchion. With three seconds remaining on the game clock, Collins was awarded two free throws and sank the first to tie the score at 49. Just as Collins lifted the ball to begin his shooting motion in attempting the second free throw, the horn from the scorer's table sounded, marking the beginning of a chain of events that left the game's final three seconds mired in controversy. Although the unexpected sound of the horn caused lead referee Renato Righetto to turn away from the free throw attempt and look over to the scorer's table, play was not stopped. Collins never broke his shooting motion and continued with his second free throw, scoring to put the U.S. ahead by a score of 50:49. Immediately following Collins' free throws, the Soviets inbounded the ball and failed to score. Soviet coaches claimed that they had requested a timeout before Collins' foul shots. The referees ordered the clock reset to three seconds and the game's final seconds replayed. The horn sounded as a length-of-the-court Soviet pass was being released from the inbounding player, the pass missed its mark, and the American players began celebrating. Nevertheless, final three seconds were replayed for a third time. This time, the Soviets' Alexander Belov and the USA's Kevin Joyce and Jim Forbes went up for the pass, and Belov caught the long pass from Ivan Edeshko near the American basket. Belov then laid the ball in for the winning points as the buzzer sounded.

The Americans regained the basketball crown in 1976, but their ability to stay competitive with college players against seasoned professionals from the Soviet Union was decreasing. In 1988, the Soviets beat the United States once again, eliminating them in the semifinals. That game was a turning point in international basketball, as FIBA officials concluded that amateur rules were unfair. In 1989, NBA players were finally allowed in the Olympics. [44] [45] [46]

United States–China rivalry

Since the beginning of the 21st century, China with its booming economy has become the United States' main rival in terms of the Summer Olympics medal count.

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Friendship Games</span> 1984 international multi-sport event

The 1984 Friendship Games, or Friendship-84, was an international multi-sport event held between 2 July and 16 September 1984 in the Soviet Union and eight other Eastern Bloc states which boycotted the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

The Quietly Confident Quartet was the self-given name of the Australian men's 4 × 100 metres medley relay swimming team that won the gold medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. The United States boycotted the Moscow Olympics in protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and, through the 2016 Olympics, the Australian victory remains the only occasion the United States has not won the event at Olympic level since its inception in 1960. The quartet consisted of backstroker Mark Kerry, breaststroker Peter Evans, butterflyer Mark Tonelli, and freestyler Neil Brooks. The team was nominally led by its oldest member Tonelli, who was 23 and was also a spokesperson for the Australian athletes' campaign for their right to compete at the Olympics against the wishes of the Fraser government. The team was seen as an unlikely prospect to win; all four of the swimmers had clashed with swimming authorities over disciplinary issues and three experienced suspension or expulsion from the Australian team during their careers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cindy Noble</span> American basketball player (born 1958)

Cindy Jo Noble is an American basketball player who competed for the United States in the 1984 Summer Olympics. In the 1984 Summer Olympics the U.S. women's basketball team won a gold medal. Noble was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1986 Goodwill Games</span>

The 1986 Goodwill Games was the inaugural edition of the international multi-sport event created by Ted Turner, which was held from 5 – 20 July 1986. The main stadium was the Central Lenin Stadium in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. The Games were a response to the Olympic boycotts of the period, which saw the United States refuse to attend the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, and the Soviet Union refusing to attend the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Soviet athletes dominated the competition, winning 118 gold medals and 241 medals overall. The United States finished in second place, with 42 golds and 142 medals in total.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States at the 2012 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

The United States of America (USA), represented by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, from July 27 to August 12, 2012. U.S. athletes have competed at every Summer Olympic Games in the modern era, except the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow which they boycotted in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The USOC sent a total of 530 athletes to the Games, 262 men and 268 women, to compete in 25 sports. For the first time in its Olympic history, the United States was represented by more female than male athletes.

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