BREAKING: U.S. swimmers win historic 1,000th Olympic gold medal for Team USA

RIO DE JANEIRO – The U.S. women’s 400-meter medley relay team of Kathleen Baker, Lilly King, Simone Manuel and Dana Vollmer today made history by securing the 1,000^th gold medal for Team USA at the Olympic Games in summer competition. The milestone highlights Team USA’s sustained competitive excellence, dating back to the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

On the final night of pool swimming in Rio, the U.S. won the race in a time of 3:53.13, ahead of Australia (3:55.00) and Denmark (3:55.01).

The first U.S. gold medal was won by triple jumper James Connolly on April 6, 1896.

“One thousand gold medals is a remarkable achievement made possible by the culture of sport that is the fabric and foundation of Team USA,” said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. “It is a testament first and foremost to our athletes, but it also reveals the impact of the support provided by our National Governing Bodies, our sponsors and donors, and American fans. This is an accomplishment we celebrate together.”

Several USOC sponsors will generously donate gifts to the swimmers in recognition of the milestone. The gifts will have a theme of 1,000 to highlight the longevity of Team USA's success.

Team USA entered the Rio Olympics with 977 gold medals in summer competition, and the relay team’s podium-topping performance marked the 23rd of the Games for the Americans.

Of the 1,000 gold medals, more than half (569) have come from track and field (323), and swimming (246). The 23 U.S. gold medals thus far in Rio were won in swimming (15), gymnastics (2), track and field (2), cycling (1), judo (1), rowing (1), and shooting (1).

The former Soviet Union is second on the all-time list with 395 gold medals, while Great Britain is second among active countries with 245.

A comprehensive Team USA History Book can be found here. 
United States Olympic Committee
1 Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909

U.S. Women Remain Undefeated in Win over Italy

By Bill Kauffman (bill.kauffman@usav.org)

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – The U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team, ranked No. 1 the world, was energized by its bench play Friday after as it defeated Italy 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20 during the Olympic Games Pool B being staged at Maracanazinho Arena in Rio de Janeiero, Brazil.

The Americans, now 4-0 in Pool B with 11 points and in first place, conclude pool play against the world’s No. 3 China on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET. Team USA, though already qualified for the Aug. 16 quarterfinals following its victory over Serbia on Wednesday, is aiming to grab the top seed from Pool B.

Earlier today China lost to Serbia 25-19, 25-19, 25-22 to fall to 2-2 with seven points. Serbia is now in second place with a 3-1 record and nine points. Serbia challenges fourth-place Netherlands on the final day of pool play prior to the USA’s match against China. A Team USA win will secure the top spot in the Pool B heading into the quarterfinals. However, an American loss to China means Serbia can slip into the top seed with a win over Netherlands despite having lost to the U.S. earlier this week.

The top four teams from the two six-team pools advance to the quarterfinals with the top seeds

U.S. Olympic Women’s Field Hockey Team Captures Fourth Straight Victory Earning a Total of 12 Event Points

Photo Credit: TeamUSA Field Hockey

DEODORO, Brazil - They shook hands after a draw in Lancaster, Pa. knowing all too well it wasn’t over; there was more to the story. Only a few weeks before the Olympic Games during the Citi Rio Send-Off Series, India and the U.S. Olympic Women’s Field Hockey Team’s walked away with one win apiece. The moment to prove who has enough gusto to edge out the other was revealed on the ultimate stage at the Deodoro Olympic Park under the spotlight of watchful eyes of those in the stadium stands and those glued to their television sets at home. Keeping match tempo in fifth gear, Team USA drove hard, engines at full tilt for 60 minutes to leave the pitch as victors with a goal line 3-0. The missing element between the Citi Rio Send-Off Series and the Olympic Games? USWNT dynamite defender and captain Lauren Crandall (Doylestown, Pa.). A key contributor in the backfield and leadership, Crandall was out recovering and prepping in the weeks leading up to Rio. Now, rejoining the team, the United States is the strongest it has ever been.

"It was an advantage to be up in the stands watching those 120 minutes of hockey," said

USA wins team, sweeps all-around at 2016 Gymnnix International

Photo is courtesy of USA Gymnastics

© John Cheng

• Team Final Results
• All-Around Final Results
• Event Finals Results

Montreal, Que., Canada – The USA easily won the team title in the Junior Cup at the Gymnix International at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex in Montreal, Que., Canada, as well swept the all-around: Gabby Perea of Geneva, Ill./Legacy Elite, gold medal; Deanne Soza of Orem, Utah/Arete Gymnastics, silver; and Emma Malabuyo of Flower Mound, Texas/Texas Dreams, bronze. Team USA also brought home six individual event medals, including three gold.

The U.S. women posted a team total of 170.350, easily outdistancing Russia’s 163.800 and Canada’s 162.125. The USA had the top team event scores for vault (44.575), uneven bars (43.200) and balance beam (42.025), as well as tied for second on floor (40.550). Four women competed on each event, with the top three scores counting. Jordan Chiles of Vancouver, Wash./Naydenov Gymnastics, joined Malabuyo, Perea and Soza on the medals podium.

The USA’s individual event scores in the all-around and team finals were: Soza – 15.025/vault,

SCIMECA AND KNIERIM TO REPRESENT TEAM USA AT 2013 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Denney and Coughlin to Sit Out Remainder of Season

U.S. Figure Skating announced today that Alexa Scimeca and Chris Knierim will represent Team USA at the 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships March 10-17, 2013, in London, Ontario, Canada.

Scimeca and Knierim, the 2013 U.S. silver medalists, were the first alternates for a spot on the World Team. They withdrew from the 2013 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships because Scimeca was experiencing right foot pain. Upon her return to Colorado Springs, where the team is based, Scimeca was evaluated and cleared to continue training.

Caydee Denney and John Coughlin, the 2012 U.S. pairs champions, were named to the World Team at the 2013 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships in late January. Coughlin underwent successful surgery in December to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. They have not competed since winning the bronze medal at 2012 Rostelecom Cup in November. The team submitted a petition to U.S. Figure Skating to be considered for the World Team despite not competing at the U.S. Championships, the final qualifier for the event.

"In staying true to our goals of representing the United States at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Caydee and I have decided to take this opportunity to get a jump start on our 2013-14 campaign," Coughlin said. "Recovery has gone better than we could have imagined and we are grateful to our families and coaches, Dr. Philippon and the medical team at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. Their tireless work alongside U.S. Figure Skating has made it possible for us to approach the upcoming season with a clean slate."

Felicia Zhang and Nate Bartholomay, the 2013 U.S. bronze medalists, are the first alternates to the World Team. Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier, who placed fifth at the U.S. Championships and will compete at the 2013 World Junior Championships, are second alternates to the World Team.

Team USA will also be represented by 2013 U.S. pairs champions Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir in London. They won bronze at Four Continents and are set to make their World Championships debut. All four U.S. champions, including Ashley Wagner (ladies), Max Aaron (men's) and Meryl Davis and Charlie White (ice dance) will also compete.

TEAM USA EARNS FIVE MEDALS IN SOCHI

2012 JGP and Grand Prix Final competition notes
2012 JGP and Grand Prix Final icenetwork.com event page

Meryl Davis & Charlie White (Getty Images/Otto Greule Jr.)

(12/8/12) - Team USA added three medals today as events concluded from the 2012 Grand Prix Final and 2012 Junior Grand Prix Final. Ashley Wagner earned silver today for her first Grand Prix Final medal, while Meryl Davis and Charlie White made history as they became the first ice dance team in history to win four Grand Prix Final titles.

Davis and White skated their best performances of the season in Sochi to total a season-high 183.39 points. Their "Notre-Dame" free dance, that White called "fantastic," was highlighted by an array of level 4 elements including one spin, four lifts and the twizzle sequence. They earned 110.19 points for the segment.

White continued, "Emotionally, technically, we really put it all out there. I'm proud of the way we fought through it. It’s a great step to help us build toward winning Worlds."

Russian President Vladmir Putin was on hand to watch the free dance, a fact that Davis and White were aware of but tried to push to the back of their minds before the skate.

"The ice, the atmosphere and the crowd were fantastic," Davis said. "We heard (Russian President) Putin was in the audience which is really exciting. When you hear about important people in the audience, it's not something you try to focus on

2012 JUNIOR GRAND PRIX FINAL UNDER WAY FROM SOCHI, RUSSIA

Hannah Miller performs her
short program at the 2012
U.S. Championships(U.S. Figure Skating photo)

2012 JGP and Grand Prix Final competition notes
2012 JGP and Grand Prix Final icenetwork.com event page

Team USA took the ice today as competition began at the 2012 Junior Grand Prix Final from Sochi, Russia, home of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

Joshua Farris, the reigning World Junior silver medalist, is in first place following the junior men's short program. Farris posted a season-high score of 74.53 points, including 40.32 on his technical elements. After a bobble on his program-opening triple Axel, Farris executed what coach Damon Allen called "his best triple Lutz-triple toe of the season," which, the athlete added, "didn't end up with me crashing into the boards." He netted 10.10 points for the jump combination and also saw positive GOEs on the remaining five elements of the "Unaccompanied Cello Suite in G Major, BWV 1007: Prelude" program.

Farris, who was in first place after the short program the 2011 JGP Final (he went on to finish third) and World Juniors, says he has worked on his mindset entering the free skate this season.

"At junior worlds, I had gotten my mental state a lot calmer," he explained. "I used to get really nervous for