Team USA starts the Summer Olympics without medals on opening day for the first time since 1972

[ad_1]

Team USA got off to their worst summer Olympic start in nearly 50 years, having not won a single medal on the first day of competition for the first time since 1972.

Saturday saw a disappointing day for American competition in shooting, cycling, fencing, judo, air rifle, pistol shooting, taekwondo and weightlifting, as no athlete climbed to the podium for a medal.

China criticizes NBC for ‘incomplete’ map during Olympic coverage

USA Today reported that the last time Team USA left without any equipment on the first day of the Summer Olympics was at the 1972 Munich Games. They previously failed to take the medal on the first day of the 2018 Winter Olympics as well.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

“I’m a bit shocked, to be honest,” world number 1 Brady Ellison said after he and partner Mackenzie Pro were eliminated in the first round of the mixed shooting competition.

USA’s Brady Ellison, left, and teammate Mackenzie Brown react during the mixed team competition against Indonesia at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

China claimed its first gold medal at the Games after Qian Yang defeated Russian Olympic Committee Anastasia Galashina in the 10m air rifle final. American Mary Caroline Tucker finished sixth despite being the favorite in the event.

CLICK HERE FOR FOX NEWS APP

Team USA will have plenty of time to collect medals. 613 athletes compete in 36 events. Of these athletes, 104 have won Olympic medals.

As far as history goes — after not winning a medal on the opening day of the 1972 Games, Team USA would go on to win 33 gold and 94 college medals, Yahoo Sports reported.

[ad_2]