NUMBER 10
Team USA Women's Basketball wins their 8th Gold. The United States Women's Basketball team was one of the biggest favorites in any competition. They cruised through to the gold medal game. Numerous turnovers and other mistakes kept France in the contest as the United States won 67-66 and stayed unbeaten on the Olympic stage.
NUMBER 9
The United States dominate the track and field competition. The USA won both 4x400 relays on the final day of competition to solidify their dominance in the competition.
NUMBER 8
Steven Nedoroscik becomes an Olympic sensation after "doing his job" for team USA on Pommel Horse. The United States won bronze in men's gymnastics for the first time in 16 years. The young group of men all played their part but Steven was put in the spotlight for the last leg of the rigorous team competition. He performed what the team needed and a bronze was secured for team USA. Steven would later win an individual bronze for his pommel horse routine.
NUMBER 7
Team USA Men's Basketball overcomes 17-point deficit to top Serbia in the Semifinal. This would have been number one had it been for gold. Nonetheless, the US men were in serious danger of repeating the dark days of 2004. Though there has never been more parity in Men's International Basketball, the US were still favored to win Gold by all accounts. The Serbian team made the United States battle to advance. A huge performance from Curry saved the day for the Americans quest for gold in Paris.
NUMBER 6
The United States Women win Rugby Sevens Bronze. In the second Olympic appearance for rugby sevens, it delivered. The fast paced sport that requires tremendous physicality and stamina was one of the most entertaining sports present in Paris. The US women's team scored a last second try to upset team Australia for the bronze. It took an evaded tackle and some outstanding speed to tie the match up. The United States would win at the death by converting the 2-point conversion kick.
NUMBER 5
The USWNT reclaims their top spot in soccer. After crashing out of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in the Round of 16, the USWNT had hit a new low. Emma Hayes took over the national team this summer and the Olympics were her first test with the team. They cruised through group play, leading pundits to believe that they were going to exceed expectations and contend for gold. The knockouts were tough but the resolve from GK Alyssa Naeher led them to two victories in extra time as well as winning the final over Brazil on a single goal from Mallory Swanson. Ironically women's soccer will run through the USA and Brazil for the next few major tournaments (2027 WWC in Brazil / 2028 Olympics in LA / 2031 WWC likely in the United States).
NUMBER 4
Simone Biles leads the United States to team gold + All-Around Gold. Biles was abruptly absent from the top of the podium in Tokyo after experiencing "the twisties". Remarkably, Biles picked up where she left off and blew the field away once again. Suni Lee and Jade Carey also played their part to secure the United States just their 4th ever team gold in women's gymnastics.
NUMBER 3
Noah Lyles became the fastest man in the Men's 100m. Although his Olympics came up short of winning more gold medals, winning the 100 for team USA is an achievement that few men have done in recent memory. It was not by much but Gold is Gold.
NUMBER 2
Katie Ledecky wins the 800 again (her 4th individual gold in the 800). Though she was the favorite to win the race, she has now entered Olympic immortality. The USA eventually topped team Australia in gold medals, due in part to Katie's crucial 800 victory.
NUMBER 1
Kristen Faulkner wins Gold in Road Cycling. It wasn't just an upset win but one by around 30 seconds. She was said to be somebody who found a love for cycling and didn't even qualify for the road race. A teammate dropped out and gifted Faulkner the "Golden Opportunity".
