Team USA’s top moments at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

With more than 100 medals won in dozens of sports and disciplines, the United States takes home more hardware than any other country competing in Tokyo. The country known for its red, white and blue colors is also known for its gold, silver and bronze as athletes swim, run, shoot, peddle and paddle their way to the standout podium.

While each achievement is important in its own right, below is a look back at some of the extra special medal moments for Team USA.

GYMNASTICS

Suni Lee’s total admiration — For the fifth consecutive Summer Games, an American took home the gold medal in the women’s all-round gymnastics competition. This year, it Suni Lee who stepped on uneven bars and floors regularly to rise above the pack with a total score of 57,433. FULL STORY

Amazing silver from Team USA — After an early exit from the competition by Simone Biles, the three remaining members of the US all-around team stepped up in a big way to keep America on the podium. Sun Lee, Jordan Chile and Grace McCallum changed their strategy quickly and took the silver medal for “The Fighting Four.” FULL STORY

MyKayla Skinner is back from retirement — An unexpected opening sees the US gymnastics team turn to veterans to complete work on the vault. Enter MyKayla Skinner, who at the age of 24 won his first Olympic medal when he stepped up to take home silver. FULL STORY

VIEW MORE: MyKayla Skinner picks up the silver in the vault, eighth Jade Carey

TRACK & FIELD

Allman threw the disc into the blue sky — He held the American record, and now he holds the Olympic gold medal. Valaria Allman beat the reigning world champion, and the oncoming rainstorm, to earn the US its first discus medal in more than a decade. FULL STORY

Raven Saunders medals and messages — First, he gained internet fame with his face mask. Then, Raven Saunders launched a shot placing nearly 20 yards to earn a silver medal and carve his name in Olympic history. But he didn’t finish there; Saunders used his time on the podium to raise his hand in an “X” above his head, then took to social media to advocate for groups and communities with personal significance in his life. FULL STORY

VIEW MORE: Saunders steals the show, takes silver in shots placed behind Gong

SWIMMING

Caeleb Dressel’s five gold — He’s the only Olympic athlete to leave Tokyo with five gold medals, and he’s one of America’s standout swimmers at the 2020 Olympics. As an individual, Single Villasenor Dominate two different freestyle races and 100m butterfly. He also won gold in two men’s 4x100m relays, both freestyle and medley. Despite Dressel’s eyes, Americans see the determination of a winner, and the emotions of a devoted son and husband. FULL STORY

Palmer wins in the pool — Apparently, the odds were stacked against him. A late start to the world of diving and an Olympic debut at the age of 29. Weak qualifying scores and a torn ACL. When things get tough, Krysta Palmer started, becoming the first American woman to win a diving medal in the last two decades. FULL STORY

Bobby Finke out of nowhere — One win coming from behind isn’t enough for the 21-year-old who made his Olympic debut in Tokyo. Bobby Finke ignited the jet in the final part of the men’s 800m freestyle race to overtake three other swimmers and claim the gold medal. Then, in the 1500m race, he showed another dramatic finish with an impressive late spike and took home the top prize. FULL STORY

All eyes are on Lydia Jacoby — Alaska’s first gold medal at the Summer Olympics came from the age of 17 Lydia Jacoby, whose final push at the end of the women’s 100m breaststroke put her ahead of her American counterparts lily king and climb to the top of the podium. Jacoby also contributed to the US 4x100m mixed-style relay, holding his share (even after removing his glasses) and winning a silver medal with the mixed medley team. FULL STORY

Men’s medley medal — Historically, the United States has been unbeaten in the men’s 4x100m medley relay medal matches, a record that began in 1960 and has continued in every Olympic Games that has Team USA in action. The pattern continues in fashion records at the 2020 Olympics, such as Ryan Murphy, Michael Andrew, Caeleb Dressel, and Zach Apple Overcome tough competition and extreme pressure to set new world records and keep the US on top of the podium. FULL STORY

VIEW MORE: US men’s medley team ‘trust each other’ on their way to gold

NEXT

‘Moore’ Gold for Team USA — The first medal in surfing was awarded at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, when shortboard competition made its Olympic debut. Hawaii star surfers Carissa Moore won his opening match at Shidashita Beach, then advanced through the tournament bracket against opponents from Peru, Brazil and Japan. In the gold medal race, Moore scored nearly 15 points, beating South Africa Bianca Buitendag (who scored 8.46 in the final) and secured the first gold medal in women’s surfing. FULL STORY

VIEW MORE: US surf star Carissa Moore wins first Olympic title

FENCE

Patience pays off for Lee Kiefer — With so many Olympic medals won by American athletes in the history of the sport, it’s hard to be the first to make a breakthrough in an established Olympic sport. The exception to that logic is the US fencer Lee Kiefer, who became the first American to win a gold medal in the individual foil event. His ability to create goal-scoring opportunities while preventing opposition scores earned him a 15-13 win over the defending gold medalists Inna Deriglazova, and a new spot on the fencing podium for Team USA. FULL STORY

VIEW MORE: From near retirement to historic gold, Lee Kiefer’s journey

GOLF

Double gold for Team USA — The last time Americans won gold medals in both men’s and women’s golf competitions at the same Olympics was in 1900. Sure, the sport took a long hiatus from the competition roster, but after returning in 2016, the talent pool is so vast that it’s hard to see any country — let alone the United States — finds a way to stand on top of both podiums at the same Olympics. Although there are playoffs for silver and bronze standings at Kasumigaseki Country Club, there is no question as to who ends four rounds of play with the best scorecard. Xander Schauffele shot 18-under to win the men’s competition, while Nelly Korda‘s 17-under was just enough to claim gold in the women’s competition. FULL STORY

VIEW MORE: Nelly Korda’s scorching second half

BASKETBALL

Three for show — It may not be news to say that in terms of traditional 5-on-5 basketball, the United States national team demonstrated historic dominance in Olympic competition. This year, however, saw the debut of a new 3×3 discipline and a new opportunity for all nations to challenge for excellence on the field. While the US men did not qualify for Tokyo, the women’s squad Stefanie Dolson, Allisha Gray, Kelsey Plum, and (late addition) Jackie Young won the gold medal match, opened a new path for US basketball in Tokyo. FULL STORY

VIEW MORE: Team USA 3×3 basketball team gets physical to win gold

WRESTLING

Team effort in individual sports — American wrestlers won nine medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the highest number of medals for any nation’s contingent this year. On the women’s side, Sarah Hildebrandt and Helen Maroulis won bronze in their heavyweight, while Adeline Gray claim silver and Tamyra Mensah win gold. US men also have two bronze medalists, Thomas Gilman and Kyle Dake. Kyle Snyder took home a silver medal for her performance in the 97kg competition. And two American men won gold: David Taylor, who maintains a winning streak of over 50 matches, and Gable Stevenson, whose last-second maneuver gave him gold — and gave the world a chance to see his impressive backflip. The nine medals in the wrestling ring is America’s best Olympic total since 1984. FULL STORY

VIEW MORE: Gable Steveson is completely upside down after winning the gold medal

FROM POLO TO PADDLE

Steffens established his place among the greats — The US women’s water polo team has won gold medals at the last three Olympics (London, Rio, Tokyo), and Maggie Steffens was in the squad for the three of them. In the early stages of this year’s games, Steffens broke the record for most goals scored in Olympic water polo history, becoming the first to surpass 50 goals overall. He was in the water for the gold medal match against Spain, adding one more goal to his illustrious total, and another medal to his gold collection. FULL STORY

Harrison’s lineup became famous — A new canoe race made its debut in Tokyo this year, the women’s C-1 200m sprint. With new events also come new competitors, like the 19 year old Nevin Harrison from the United States. Harrison’s aspirations to become a track star were ruled out by a diagnosis of hip dysplasia, but his persistence put him on the Olympic stage on the water and in the 200-meter medal race. With one knee in a canoe and a paddle in the water, Harrison showed the world his Olympic spirit with an emotional gold medal win. FULL STORY

VIEW MORE: American Nevin Harrison wins gold in 200m . canoe run