London Olympics Day Two Recap
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CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/GettyImages(LONDON) — Day 2 of the London Summer Olympics was huge for American swimmer for Dana Vollmer, who set a world record in the 100-meter butterfly by touching the wall at 55.98. That beat the previous mark of 56.06 set by Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom in 2009.
A euphoric Vollmer said afterwards, “I’m on top of the world right now. I still know I can go faster.”
Meanwhile, France upset the U.S. in the men’s 400-meter freestyle relay as Ryan Lochte, Michael Phelps and two other swimmers finished second for the silver medal, the first of Phelps’ Olympic career.
Still, the medal represents the 17th Phelps has won in three Olympics and puts him one step closer to tying the all-time mark set by former Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, who won 18. Phelps could get a share of the record by finishing in the top three of Tuesday’s individual butterfly relay.
There wasn’t quite as much drama as the U.S. basketball team cruised to victory over France, 98-71, in their first game of Olympic play even as the Team USA was just a point ahead after the first quarter.
Kevin Durant, who plays small forward for Oklahoma City, was the high-man for the team with 22 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love chipped in with 14 to get the 2012 U.S. team off to a solid start in their goal towards another gold medal.
In a major setback for the U.S. women’s gymnastics teams, world champion Jordyn Wieber finished behind teammates Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas, meaning she did not qualify for the all-around finals because countries are only limited to two gymnasts. The heavily favored Wieber was distraught after the results, openly weeping at her failed chance to win a gold medal.
On the other hand, Kim Rhode made history when she set the Olympic record and tied the world record by hitting 99 of 100 targets taking home gold in the skeet. “I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet, from the time I shot to present, it’s just been a whirlwind of emotions,” Rhode said.
The women’s field hockey team fell to Germany 2-1 on Sunday but the men’s volleyball team shut down Serbia 3-0. In water polo, the U.S. got by Montenegro 8-7.
After two days of competition, China leads the overall medal count with 12 including six gold, the United States 11 total and three gold medals, followed by Italy with seven medals and two gold.
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