Associated Press
BEIJING ó Put up a net, put American men in action and watch out. At these Olympics, that’s becoming an unbeatable combination.
From volleyball to water polo to basketball, the guys in red, white and blue made their country proud Friday.
Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers got it started by winning gold in beach volleyball. Then the U.S. indoor volleyball squad continued its surprising, emotional run by beating Russia and advancing to the gold-medal match for the first time since 1988.
Next came the fun at the pool. The water polo team, which came to China ranked ninth in the world, pulled off the latest in a string of upsets, beating Serbia to also reach the gold-medal match for the first time since ’88.
At day’s end, the U.S. had 102 medals. With more guaranteed from events like volleyball, water polo and basketball, the Americans will have more than the 102 medals won four years ago in Athens, and is closing in on the 108 won in Barcelona in 1992.
China is second in total medals with 89, but is the runaway leader in golds with 47. The Americans are second with 31.
DivingChina is poised to go 8-for-8 in diving events, with Zhou Luxin leading after the men’s 10-meter platform preliminaries.
No country has swept the diving medals since the United States did in 1952. Back then, there were only four events.
TaekwondoThe Lopez family isn’t going home with a single gold medal. But all three of them have something to show for their games.
Steven Lopez fell short in his bid for a third straight gold, taking bronze, just like his brother Mark did the day before. Sister Diana got silver.
BMXThe U.S. took three of the first six medals ever handed out in this sport. None, however, were gold.
BaseballWhat might be the last gold medal in America’s national pastime won’t be won by America.
The U.S. squad lost 10-2 to Cuba and will now be playing Japan for the bronze on Saturday.
BoxingOne measly bronze medal is all the U.S. has to show for these games, its worst performance ever.
Deontay Wilder was the lone recipient.
The Americans won only one medal in 1948, too, but that was a silver.