2008 - BEIJING, CHINA

2008 - BEIJING, CHINA. The United States had a memorable campaign in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. The US won a total of 110 medals, setting a new record for the U.S. in Olympics without boycott. The US overcame the host China, which reached 100 medals. However, in terms of gold medals, China won 51 while the United States stayed limited to 36. As predicted, Swimming was the sport that more medals gave to Americans, with a total of 31, including 12 gold. Michael Phelps became the first athlete to win 8 gold medals in a single Olympic edition. He was the best athlete of the Beijing's Olympics. The US athletics team maintained its tradition of podium with a total of 23 medals, but only 7 gold, a bad result for North American standards. Still, the Athletics achieved the second best result to the US sport. Gymnastics also performed well and the US team achieved a total of 10 medals, although only 2 gold. The highlight was the women's team, which won 8 medals. The United States also conducted an excellent campaign in Shooting competitions and amounted a total of 6 medals, securing the second best performance among all participating countries. However, the greatest surprise occurred in the fencing competitions. The US team achieved six medals, including one gold. The result was really surprising but the US women in saber, with all 4 medals possible, commanded the success of the Americans. The country was ranked second in the medals table, something unthinkable a few years ago. The USA Cycling team also conducted a good campaign by adding five medals, 1 gold. USA had a good showing in Equestrian Sports and Rowing, with a total of 3 medals, including one gold, in each sport. Taekwondo also got 3 medals, but for the first time USA got no gold medal. U.S. kept its hegemony in Basketball and won the two gold medals, both with men as with women. The same occurred in Beach Volleyball, which secured two gold medals for the country. U.S. was a powerhouse in Sailing, but secured just two medals, but at least  the USA managed to climb once the highest spot of the podium. US Volleyball teams had an excellent campaign and the US won the gold medal in the men's tournament and silver medal in women's tournament, both times facing Brazil in the final. The USA team is a power in Wrestling but the US team was limited to only two medals, 1 gold, obtained in the male division. Tennis has also secured two medals to USA, one gold, again with the female duo formed by the Williams sisters. The USA Water Polo team arrived in two finals but lost both, securing two silver medals. In others sports, the USA team won single medals. In football, the women's team once again secured the gold medal, again beating Brazil. The USA's Softball team were amazed by Japan and had to settle for the silver medal at the last Olympic appearance of this sport in Olympics. The U.S. Baseball team also disappointed with only a bronze medal in a tournament marked by the victory of Korea over Cuba in the final. Boxing, Judo and Greco-Roman disappointed with only a bronze medal each. However, due to its ancient tradition, the Boxing's results was more disappointing than the Greco-Roman and Judo, sports no much traditional in USA . Overall the United States conducted a memorable campaign with a new record of 110 medals, including 36 gold, and reached the podium in 92 events.

USA MEDAL TALLY BY SPORT

SPORT	TOTAL	GOLD	SILVER	BRONZE	ME
SWIMMING	31	12	9	10	25
TRACK AND FIELD	23	7	9	7	17
GYMNASTICS	10	2	6	2	7
SHOOTING	6	2	2	2	6
FENCING	6	1	3	2	4
CYCLING	5	1	1	3	4
EQUESTRIAN SPORT	3	1	1	1	3
ROWING	3	1	1	1	3
TAEKWONDO	3	-	1	2	3
BASKETBALL	2	2	-	-	2
BEACH VOLLEYBALL	2	2	-	-	2
SAILING	2	1	1	-	2
VOLLEYBALL	2	1	1	-	2
FREESTYLE WRESTLING	2	1	-	1	2
TENNIS	2	1	-	1	2
WATER POLO	2	-	2	-	2
SOCCER	1	1	-	-	1
SOFTBALL	1	-	1	-	1
BEISEBOL	1	-	-	1	1
BOXING	1	-	-	1	1
JUDO	1	-	-	1	1
GRECO-ROMAN WRESTLING	1	-	-	1	1
TOTAL	110	36	38	36	92

2012 - FENCING

UNITED STATES 2012 FENCING OLYMPIC MEDAL

Women

Epée Team

Courtney Hurley Kelley Hurley Maya Lawrence Susie Scanlan

The United States had a disappointing performance in the Fencing's tournament at the London's Olympics in 1912. The USA team won only a bronze medal, decreasing its results relating to the 2008 olympics, when It managed to win 6 medals, 1 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze. At the time, the United States placed second in total medals, behind only Italy, with 7 medals. MEN. The United States has not won any medal in the men's events, failing to repeat the 2008's performance, when USA team secured a silver medal in team sabre event. Weston Kelsey, in the individual epee, achieved the best result with fourth place, beaten by South Korean Jung Jinsun. The USA's foil team also placed fourth after losing to Germany by 45-27 in the bronze medal decision. WOMEN. The United States won only one medal, bronze, in the women's tournament. Its epee team defeated Russia by 31-30 to reach the podium. In the individual sabre competition two-time olympic champion Mariel Zagunis finished only in fourth place after being defeated by Ukrainian Olha Kharlan. Thus, the U.S. decreased very much its performance in relation to the 2008 Games.

2012 - VOLLEYBALL

UNITED STATES 2012 VOLLEYBALL OLYMPIC MEDAL

Women

  

Team

Danielle Scott-Arruda Tayyiba Haneef-Park Lindsey Berg Tamari Miyashiro Nicole Davis Jordan Larson Megan Hodge Christa Harmotto Logan Tom Foluke Akinradewo Courtney Thompson Destinee Hooker

The United States had a reasonable performance in volleyball competitionsin the London Olympics. The US  won the silver medal in the women's tournament, but was eliminated in the men's division. However, compared to 2008, the country has decreased its results because that year it won the men's gold medal and women's silver medal. MEN. The U.S., Olympic champions in 2008, were among the big favorites to win the gold medal at London 2012. In the first round, the US team finished in first place in their group, with four wins and one loss. US team defeated Serbia (3-0), Germany (3-0) and Brazil (3-1) but lost to Russia (2-3) and ended its campaign with a victory over Tunisia (3-0). However, during the quarter-finals, the US team suffered a crushing defeat to Italy (0-3) and lost any chance to win a medal. WOMEN. The United States were one of the top contenders for the olympic gold medal in the women's volleyball tournament in London. In the first round, the US team conducted an impressive campaign. US won all its 5 games: South Korea (3-1), Brazil (3-1), China (3-0), Serbia (3-0), Turkey (3-0). In the quarterfinal game, the US easily defeated the Dominican Republic (3-0). In the semifinal, the U.S. managed another strong win, again over South Korea (3-0). However, in the gold medal game, US lost to Brazil 3-1. The U.S. had a much more efficient campaign than Brazil during the tournament, but lost its decisive game. In the first round, US team had defeated Brazil by 3-1. Thus the U.S. ended its olympic participation in the indoor volleyball with a silver medal.

2012 - ARCHERY

UNITED STATES 2012 ARCHERY OLYMPIC MEDAL

Men

Team

Brady Ellison Jake Kaminski Jacob Wukie

The United States won a silver medal in the Archery tournament at the Olympic Games in London in 2012. The result was not as good as in the 70s and 80s, when the United States conquered at least a gold medal at each Olympic edition from 1972 to 1988, but it served to bring the Americans to the podium again, absent in 2004 and 2008. MEN. The United States won a silver medal in the team competition. In the quarter-finals US defeated Japan by only 220-219. In the semifinal, US caused surprise by beating the favorite South Korea by 224-219. In the gold medal fight, the US did a thrilling battle against Italy, but lost 219-218. The team was formed by Brady Ellison, Jake Kaminski and Jacob Wukie. In the individual event, US failed to put any competitor in the eighth-finals round, despite its gold medal contender Brady Ellison. WOMEN. The U.S. women's team was defeated in the quarter-finals by China, 218-213. In the individual event, Khatuna Lorig managed the fourth place, She was defeated by Mexican Mariana Avitia by 6-2. Although USA only won a silver medal, the country returned to the podium in the Olympic events of Archery after a 12 years absent.

2012 - WATER POLO

UNITED STATES 2012 WATER POLO OLYMPIC MEDAL

Women

Team

Elizabeth Armstrong Heather Petri Melissa Seidemann Brenda Villa Lauren Wenger Maggie Steffens Courtney Mathewson Jessica Steffens Elsie Windes Kelly Rulon Annika Dries Kami Craig Tumuaialii Anae

  The United States presented a good showing in the  Water Polo tournament at the Olympic Games in London in 2012. The USA won a gold medal with the women's team and placed eighth with the men's team, this a disappointing result . In a way, the overall USA  outcome was positive. MEN. The USA team failed to maintain the excellent level presented in 2008 in Beijing, when It reached the silver medal position. In London-2012, The US team got only eighth place. In the first round, the US defeated Montenegro (8-7), Romania (10-8) and the United Kingdom (13-7), but US were overcome by Serbia (6-11) and Hungary (6-11). In the quarter-finals game the USA team were shattered by Croatia (2-8), losing any chance to medal. Later, It suffered defeats to Spain (7-8) and Australia (9-10), thus finishing in eighth place. WOMEN. The United States finally won the Olympic gold medal in women's water polo tournament after two silver medals (2000 and 2008) and one bronze (2004). However, the USA team faced very difficult games. In the first round, USA beat Hungary (14-13), tied with Spain (9-9) and defeated China (7-6). In the quarter-finals game, the USA defeated easily Italy (9-6). In the semifinals game, US overcame Australia (11-9). In the Gold medal game the US got another easy win, beating Spain by 8-5. Maggie Steffens was the best player of the team and scored the highest number of goals in the tournament, with a total of 21 goals.

2012 - SOCCER

UNITED STATES 2012 SOCCER OLYMPIC MEDAL

Women

Team

Hope Solo Heather Mitts Christie Rampone Becky Sauerbrunn Kelley O'Hara Amy LePeilbet Shannon Boxx Amy Rodriguez Heather O'Reilly Carli Lloyd Sydney Leroux Lauren Cheney Alex Morgan Abby Wambach Megan Rapinoe Rachel Buehler Tobin Heath Nicole Barnhart

The United States confirmed its favoritism and won the Olympic gold medal in women's football tournament again, this time in London, UK. By other hand, the U.S. men's team failed to qualify for the Olympics. MEN. The United States didn't qualify its men team to the London Olympics. WOMEN. The United States confirmed its favoritism and they won the Olympic gold medal for the fourth time out in five tournaments. Since 1996, the U.S. women's team only failed to win the gold medal at the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia, when they were defeated by Norway. In London-2012, the United States won all of its 6 games. In the first round, the US defeated France (4-2), Colombia (3-0) and North Korea (1-0). In the quarter-finals, US overcame New Zealand (2-0). In the semifinals, the U.S. defeated Canada (4-3) in a dramatic game. The United States were losing the game by 3-2 but canadian goalkeeper failed to put the ball in the game before 6 seconds, breaking a game's rule. On the ensuing play another controversial handball call was made against the Canadian side awarding the American team a penalty kick, which Abby Wambach converted to tie the game at 3–3. After that, US team scored one more goal and won the game. In the final game against Japan, US team was favored by a unmarked penalte after Tobin Heath put his hand on the ball, despite the claim by Japanese players. The United States followed the game and US had no difficulty in defeating Japan by 2-1, reversing the defeat in the final game of the 2011 World Championships. Abby Wambach, with 5 goals, Carli Lloyd, with 4 goals, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, with 3 goals each one, were the main players of the US team, together goalkeeper Hope Solo.