Not even one week into the 2024 Summer Olympics, and the United States is asserting its dominance across the Paris Games.
Heading into today’s competition, the United States has racked up 31 total medals — five ahead of France, who sits in second place.
Yesterday, the U.S. added to its medal tally thanks to another record-breaking performance from swimmer Katie Ledecky.
In team competition, the U.S. also won a huge match against Australia in women’s soccer, and secured another dominating win in men’s basketball.
Yesterday also saw the emergence of a new international star in men’s gymnastics.
Here’s a quick recap of the highs from yesterday.
Katie Ledecky shatters Olympic record
Katie Ledecky, the 27-year-old swimming phenom, shattered an Olympic record in the women’s 1,500 meter freestyle — a mark she previously held — winning the final in 15:30.02, a little more than 10 seconds quicker than the next closest swimmer.
Ledecky now holds the 20 fastest times in the 1500-meter freestyle.
Just how dominant was she? Nobody came close to catching Ledecky, as showcased by this photo.
No other swimmer was even in the frame when Katie Ledecky finished 😳
Absolute DOMINANCE as she breaks the women's 1500m freestyle Olympic record 🔥 pic.twitter.com/YcoQS2AlzB
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 31, 2024
USWNT handles a tough Aussie team
In women’s soccer, the USWNT took down a tough Australian squad 2-1.
It was the final game of group play to advance to the knockout rounds. The U.S. will face women’s soccer powerhouse Japan Saturday in the quarterfinals.
90'+1 – GOAL: Australia.
🇦🇺 AUS 1 – 2 USA 🇺🇸
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 31, 2024
20-year-old phenom breaks through in men’s gymnastics
Yesterday also saw the breakthrough performance of 20-year-old Japanese gymnast Shinnosuke Oka who won the men’s all-around gymnastics title.
Oka edged Zhang Boheng and Xiao Ruoteng, both of China, to claim his second gold medal in three days at his first Olympics, by just 0.233 points.
OKA SHINNOSUKE: Olympic Men’s All-Around Champion 🇯🇵#Paris2024 | #Gymnastics pic.twitter.com/2EL5LsV6AF
— FIG (@gymnastics) July 31, 2024