A Historic Day in Paris for the American Track Team
Shot By: Steph Chambers, Getty Images
On Friday, August 2. many American athletes looked to lock their names in Olympic history in events like the opening rounds of the women's 100, 800, and men's 1500-meter races. As well as the decathlon and men’s 10k, which featured an American Grant Fisher, taking bronze becoming just the second U.S.-born men's 10k medalist since 1964.
A race that had lovers of the sport on the edge of their seats as they could see an American doing something historic.
Fisher was well in the race going into the last portion keeping himself with the main pack so he could time his move perfectly. Staying with that pack and forced towards the rail lining the inside of the track, he did have a moment where he tripped.
Even a slightly rolled ankle couldn’t keep the Olympian from finishing such an excellent race. Going into the bell lap he stayed right around fifth until the home stretch where seemed to be shot out of a cannon.
On the final turn, he started his kick by going to the outside of three runners and chasing for the leader Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei. As he crept closer to the line, another runner Berihu Aregawi of Ethiopia finished a perfectly executed kick beating Fisher by two-hundredths of a second and taking the silver medal.
Cheptegei finished with a gold medal and a new Olympic record of 26:43.14.
Fisher took home the bronze while setting a new season best of 26:43.46.
Shot By: Steph Chambers, Getty Images
Team USA had their record-breaking moment earlier in the day when the first round of the 4x400m relay mixed took place. The lineup featured Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Bryce Deadmon, and Kaylyn Brown running in that respective order.
When the race came down to the third leg it was clear that the American team would win this heat. Deadmon began to create separation between himself and the French runner behind him going into the final handoff to Brown.
Getting the baton with about a 30-meter lead Brown still ran like there was someone on her tail the entire way. Putting another 10 to 15 meters between her and the pack before flying through the finish line.
The clock read 3:07.41 smashing the previous world record by a full second.
Shot By: Smiley N. Pool, Dallas Morning News
Sha’Carri Richardson headlined for the USA in the opening rounds of the women’s 100 meter. It was her Olympic debut and she did not disappoint. Along with other American sprinters Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry, who would also go on to the semifinals.
She debuted with a great gun-to-tape performance clocking in at 10.94 seconds and a first-place finish.
Richardson is a favorite going into day 2 for the finals of the event. But she will have to be prepared as she didn’t have the fastest overall time through the preliminary rounds. The heats will also be more competitive as the field narrows down working toward the gold medal.
Back to the longer distance events Team USA had three athletes competing in the opening round of the 1500 meter race. Cole Hocker, Hobbs Kessler, and Yared Nuguse all lined up during their respective heats to put on a show.
Respectively all would qualify and are set to compete again on August 4. in the semifinal. Hocker clocked the fasted time of the American trio running a time of 3:35.27.
With more finals to come, the Americans have the chance to up the total medal count for the country.
