1896 - ATHENS, GREECE - The United States won a total of 20 medals at the Olympic Games 1896 in Athens, Greece. USA placed second in total medals, behind only host Greece, which totaled about 45 medals. The U.S. medals were obtained in only two sports: Athletics and Shooting.
ATHLETICS: The U.S. won a total of 17 medals, nine of them gold, winning 9 of the 12 events of the program. Their performance was so overwhelming that the rest of the world was left with only three gold medals. Their biggest individual stars were: Thomas Burke, winner of the 100m and 400m races; Ellery Clark, champion in the high and long jump events; Robert Garrett, champion in shot put and discus throwing events as well as winner of silver medals in high and long jump events, establishing himself as the highest medal winner in Athletics; James Connolly that, winning the triple jump, became known as the first Olympic champion of the Modern Era. The United States began in Athens its very strong tradition in the Track and Field and remain as the major world power for over 110 years.
SHOOTING: The U.S. won three medals, all in pistol events, including two gold medals. Sumner Paine won the free pistol event and placed second in the military revolver, won by his brother John Paine.
The U.S. performance at the 1896 Olympic Games was very positive, although USA had only competed with a delegation of 14 athletes. USA team showed a strong sporting condition, which eventually was consolidated in subsequent editions of the Olympic Games.
MEDAL TABLE
SPORTS
|
TOTAL
|
GOLD
|
SILVER
|
BRONZE
|
TRACK AND FIELD
|
17
|
9
|
6
|
2
|
SHOOTING
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
-
|
TOTAL
|
20
|
11
|
7
|
2
|
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