USA's Rai Benjamin Wins Gold Medal in Men's 400m Hurdles at 2024 Olympics
Aug 9, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 09: Rai Benjamin of Team United States celebrates winning the Gold medal during the Men's 400m Hurdles Final on day fourteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 09, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Rai Benjamin has earned his first gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles.
The 27-year-old won the 400-meter hurdles at the Paris Olympics on Friday to claim the second gold medal of his career and the first in the event. He finished with a time of 46.46 seconds as Norway's Karsten Warholm won silver in 47.06 seconds and Brazil's Alison dos Santon claimed bronze in 47.26 seconds.
RAI BENJAMIN IS FINALLY AN OLYMPIC CHAMPION. #ParisOlympics
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 9, 2024
At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Benjamin earned silver despite running a personal best time of 46.17. Now, three years later, he has claimed the long-awaited gold medal. Benjamin earned his first gold medal in the 4x400-meter relay in 2021, but Friday's medal gives him his first individual gold.
Benjamin's 400-meter hurdles showing in 2021 gave fans one of the most exciting races in the event's history. He and Warholm both set world records, though Warholm finished just ahead of him to earn gold.
Warholm was within striking distance of taking another gold medal from Benjamin on Friday, but a late push gave him all the room he needed to make sure he stood at the top of the podium.
Benjamin's victory means the United States completed a clean sweep in the event in Paris, as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set a world record on her way to a second straight gold in the 400-meter hurdles on Thursday.
Carl Lewis 'Furious' over USA DQ in Men's 4x100m Relay at Olympics After Lyles' Exit
Aug 9, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 09: Christian Coleman of Team United States competes in the Men's 4x100m Relay Final on day fourteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 09, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
After Team USA fell short once again in the 4x100 relay at the Paris Olympics, former track great Carl Lewis voiced his opinion on the United States' shortcomings.
Lewis, a nine-time gold medalist, was frustrated with both the system as well as the team's plan of attack after star Noah Lyles was forced to miss the event due to COVID-19.
NBC's Lewis Johnson said the following about his conversation with Lewis:
A few moments ago I talked with Olympic legend Carl Lewis, who was down here just a few feet away from me as the men's 4x100-meter relay was contested. Carl is furious. He's angry about multiple things. First of all, he's angry about a system that he says is not set up to help the athletes from the United States move forward and do well. He is also angry at the fact that they just didn't seem to have the right people in the right places. He said that if Noah Lyles is out sick with COVID, they should have just replaced the anchor leg and nothing else. But the fact that they reordered the entire relay had him worried, and at the end had him upset."
The United States finished seventh in the 4x100 relay on Friday but was ultimately disqualified after a botched first handoff between Christian Coleman and Kenny Bednarek. Coleman was outside of the handoff zone when he made the exchange to Bednarek, but even before the disqualification, the team was too far behind to mount a comeback.
Andre de Grasse anchors Canada to 4x100m GOLD in Paris! 🇨🇦 #ParisOlympics
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 9, 2024
The United States hasn't medaled in the event since 2004 and hasn't won gold since 2000. Since then, passing the baton has proved to be a consistent issue.
In 2008, Darvis Patton and Tyson Gay fumbled the exchange heading into the last leg of the semifinal race, costing the U.S. a spot in the final. In 2016, the United States finished in position for a bronze medal, but was disqualified after the exchange between Mike Rodgers and Justin Gatlin occurred outside of the designated zone.
The Tokyo Olympics saw the United States fail to make it past its preliminary heat because of another bungled baton exchange, this time between Fred Kerley and Ronnie Baker.
Lewis later doubled down on his statement, expressing his issues with the system on X.
It is time to blow up the system. This continues to be completely unacceptable. It is clear that EVERYONE at @usatf is more concerned with relationships than winning. No athlete should step on the track and run another relay until this program is changed from top to bottom. https://t.co/Re6THj8QTm
Whether the United States will listen to Lewis, who won gold in the 4x100-relay twice, is to be determined, but it's clear something needs to change before Los Angeles in 2028.
Olympic Track and Field 2024: Mixed 4x400M Relay Winners, Times and Results
Aug 3, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 2: Isayah Boers of the Netherlands, Isaya Klein Ikkink of the Netherlands, Femke Bol of the Netherlands, and Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands competing in the 4 x 400m Relay Mixed Round 1 during Day 7 of Athletics - Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 2, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
The United States stole the show in the 4x400m mixed relay prelims, but the Netherlands grabbed the gold in a stunning final.
Off of a meteoric push from Femke Bol, the Netherlands beat out the U.S. to secure the gold medal with a winning time of 3:07.43
Femke Bol is UNREAL. 😲
She takes GOLD for the Netherlands in the mixed 4x400m relay with a STELLAR 47.93s anchor leg. #ParisOlympics
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2024
The Dutch score did not beat the U.S. record time of 3:07.41 that was set on Friday, but it's safe to say the Netherlands can live with simply grabbing the gold.
Here's a look at the final results of the 4x400M Relay.
Netherlands: 3:07.43
United States: 3:07.74
Great Britain: 3:08.01
Belgium: 3:09.36
France: 3:10.84
Jamaica: 3:11.67
Italy: 3:11.84
Poland: 3:12.39
The United States claimed silver despite leading for a significant portion of the race. That represented an improvement on the bronze finish the U.S. had at the 2020 Olympics, which was also when the event debuted.
The Netherlands didn't qualify for the event in 2020. Needless to say, Saturday's performance was a defining moment for the relay team of Eugene Omalla, Lieke Klaver, Isaya Klein Ikkink and Bol.
Bol's 47.93 anchor leg was what made the difference in the race, as she was able to overtake Kaylyn Brown in the final seconds to pull off the upset victory. The time was the fastest among the women's competitors in the event.
Coco Gauff Joins LeBron James as USA Flag Bearers for 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony
Jul 24, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 24: Coco Gauff of Team USA trains during the Tennis training session ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Roland Garros on July 24, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
After LeBron James became the first men's basketball player to be selected as a flag bearer for the United States ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, more history was made on Wednesday.
2023 U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff was selected to be the women's flag bearer, making her the first tennis player to earn the honor for Team USA:
The selection as a flag bearer is especially meaningful for Gauff after she was forced to withdraw from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19. At 20 years old, she is now the youngest flag bearer in U.S. history.
"I never thought in a million years I would have the honor of carrying the American flag for Team USA in the Opening Ceremony," Gauff said in a statement. "I could not be more proud to lead my teammates with LeBron as we showcase our dedication and passion on the biggest stage there is − at a moment where we can bring athletes and fans together from around the world."
Ranked as the No. 2 singles player in the world, Gauff's win at the U.S. Open last September made her the youngest American to win a Grand Slam singles title since the legendary Serena Williams won her first in 1999 at the age of 17. She added to her mantle last month when she teamed with Czech Katerina Siniakova to win the women's doubles title at the French Open.
The tennis competition at the Olympic Games will be held at Roland Garros, the same site as the French Open, so Gauff will be familiar with the playing surface.
The opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics will be held on Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET. Rather than a traditional walk through the stadium, this iteration will feature a parade of boats carrying athletes down the Seine River.
Matt Turner Makes Case to Be US Men's No. 1 GK in Win vs. Morocco
Jun 2, 2022
CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 30: Matt Turner makes the save during a training session at Mercy Health Training Center on May 30, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
The United States Men's National Team defeated Morocco 3-0 on Wednesday in an international friendly match at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, in what was their first of four matches this month.
The match gave Gregg Berhalter a good look at his player pool ahead of the World Cup in Qatar this fall as players like Haji Wright, Joe Scally, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Malik Tillman saw a decent amount of time on the pitch.
While Wright, Brenden Aaronson and Timothy Weah found the back of the net in the win, and Christian Pulisic impressed, it was goalkeeper Matt Turner who drew a lot of the attention from American fans on Wednesday night after earning a clean sheet.
Many even called for Turner to replace Zack Steffen as the team's No. 1 goalkeeper entering the World Cup after making eight saves in the win.
"I just think right now the goalkeeping position is Matt Turner's to lose." - @TaylorTwellman
Turner doing what he does tonight with 2-3 key saves.
Turner entered Wednesday's game with 16 appearances for the national team, including 12 wins and 11 clean sheets. He is now 13-2-2 with 12 shutouts since making his debut in 2021.
The 27-year-old has made a name for himself over the last several years after going undrafted out of Fairfield University.
He signed with the New England Revolution in 2016 and has emerged as the MLS side's top keeper. After going 17-7-4 with five clean sheets during the 2021 season, he earned the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award and was named to the MLS Best XI.
Turner is also set to transfer to Premier League side Arsenal in June, a huge reward for his impressive performances in the MLS and for the national team over the last couple of years.
Meanwhile, Steffen has been with the U.S. national team since 2018 and is 14-4-7. In six games this year for the USMNT, the Manchester City keeper is 3-2-1 with two clean sheets.
With Turner pushing for Steffen's starting job, things should certainly be interesting as we inch closer to the World Cup in November.
US Olympic Hockey Team 2022: Updated Predictions for Men's Team
Feb 14, 2022
USA's Steven Kampfer (R) celebrates after scoring an equalizer during the men's preliminary round group A match of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games ice hockey competition between USA and Germany, at the Wukesong Sports Centre in Beijing on February 13, 2022. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP) (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)
The United States men's ice hockey team may be among the youngest competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics, but it also appears to be one of the best. Because since the Americans arrived in Beijing, they have been on a roll.
Team USA went 3-0 during the preliminary round, notching victories over China, Canada and Germany. In doing so, the U.S. earned the No. 1 seed for the medal round, meaning it's one of the four teams that earned a bye into the quarterfinals.
The Americans will next take the ice Tuesday night (Wednesday afternoon in Beijing) and will face either Germany or Slovakia in the last eight of the tournament.
Here's everything else you need to know about the U.S. team for the rest of the Winter Games.
Quarterfinal Broadcast Information
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 15
Start Time: 11:10 p.m. ET
TV: USA Network
Live Stream: Peacock, NBC Sports app and NBCOlympics.com
Preview, Predictions
When the United States cruised to an 8-0 win over China in its opening game of the 2022 Winter Olympics, it wasn't much of a surprise. The host nation was expected to struggle against the strong competition it would face at the Games.
But the U.S. proved that it's a legitimate medal contender with its wins over Canada and Germany. The Americans beat the former 4-2, as goaltender Strauss Mann recorded 35 saves in a strong overall performance. The 3-2 win over Germany saw the U.S. lead by two goals in the third period before holding on after a late push by the Germans.
The United States and Finland were the only teams to go 3-0 during the preliminary round, but the Finns needed overtime to win their game against Sweden. Even the Russian Olympic Committee (the pre-tournament favorite for the gold medal) lost a game, falling 6-5 to the Czech Republic in its final game of the preliminary round.
There's a good chance that the United States' quarterfinal contest will be a rematch against Germany, which is facing Slovakia in a qualification playoff. If the Americans were to that contest, they would leave Beijing without a medal despite their excellent play to this point.
That's why the U.S. team isn't resting on its laurels.
"We're going to be hungry for our next game, and we're going to attack our next game like it's do or die because it really is," goaltender Drew Commesso said, per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.
Although Germany played a close game against the U.S. in the preliminary round, don't expect the Americans to lose to the Germans in the quarterfinals. The United States looks like the better team, and it should keep its momentum going to earn at least one more win.
The Americans are no guarantee to end up on the podium, though—especially because they could face either Canada or Sweden in the semifinals. And if the United States gets to the gold-medal game, expect either Finland or the Russian Olympic Committee to be on the other side.
It all means the Americans' path to the gold isn't easy, even if they keep up the form they have displayed since arriving in Beijing.
The prediction here is that the U.S. will fall short of winning the gold by losing in the semifinals. And it will be Canada that gets revenge and knocks the United States into the bronze-medal game. The Canadians have a solid team, and its only loss came against the U.S. They will be motivated to avenge that defeat will do so in another close contest.
However, the United States will bounce back to win the bronze. And considering nobody on the roster plays in the NHL and 15 players are in college, that should be seen as a success.
Prediction: United States loses in semifinals, wins bronze medal.
Cole Bassett Leads USMNT to Win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2021 Friendly
Dec 19, 2021
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 18: Ricardo Pepi #16 of the United States moves with the ball during a game between Bosnia and Herzegovina and USMNT at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 18, 2021 in Carson, California. (Photo by Robert Mora/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
The United States Men's National Team wrapped up 2021 with a 1-0 win in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
The match was a great opportunity for not only MLS players to stay in shape, but for fringe players to make an impression with coach Gregg Berhalter ahead of January camp, which leads into World Cup Qualifiers later in the month against El Salvador, Canada, and Honduras.
The UMSNT and Bosnia and Herzegovina met twice before Saturday's meeting, with the Americans taking the first game 4-3 behind a Jozy Altidore hat trick in 2013, and the two sides playing to a 0-0 draw in 2018 when goalkeeper Zack Steffen earned his first cap.
Saturday's win marks the USMNT's 17th victory of 2021, which is now the team record for the most victories in a calendar year. The previous record of 16 wins in a calendar year was set in 2013.
For Bosnia, Saturday's game was an opportunity to impress after missing out on Euro 2020. The entire roster was made up of domestic Bosnian Premijer Liga call-ups with 10 senior caps between 19 players.
Highlights and Reaction
The U.S. started strong, dominating possession and getting the better of the scoring chances. However, goalkeeper Matt Turner saw more action than he probably would've liked as Bosnia and Herzegovina got a few good looks midway through the first half and tallied three shots on goal.
Very nearly a dream return to the #USMNT for Jordan Morris! His point-blank diving header is saved off the line #USAvBIH
Things shifted more in the Americans' favor once Bosnia and Herzegovina were forced to play a man down after midfielder Amar Begic was given a red card after a hard tackle on midfielder Kellyn Acosta.
#USMNT will be a man up for the rest of the night after Amar Begić takes out Kellyn Acosta on a red-card challenge 😬
Ricardo Pepi and Cristian Roldan got plenty of scoring chances and had nothing to show for it. The Americans had six total shots through the first 45 minutes, but only one on target.
While it was a rather disappointing evening for the U.S., many were quick to praise Jordan Morris, who was playing his first USMNT match in more than two years, for his first-half efforts.
Through 25 minutes, I think Morris has probably been the game's best player. Consistently creating danger. #USAvBIH
The second half was much of the same for the USMNT as they came out flat.
While Berhalter tried to shake things up in the 62nd minute by opting to take off Pepi, Johnny Cardoso and Brooks Lennon for Gyasi Zardes, Jackson Yueill and Bryan Reynolds in the 62nd minute, and fans weren't happy.
Zardes and Yueill are two of just eight players on Saturday's roster to have double-digit caps for the U.S., so it seems Berhalter was looking for more veteran leadership with those substitutions.
Berhalter also subbed on Cole Bassett and Cade Cowell for Morris and Ferreira in the 78th minute before sending on Jonathan Gomez for George Bello in the 84th minute. Many on Twitter were quick to respond to the substitution notice, arguing that Gomez, and the rest of the young players, should've started the match or been subbed on much earlier.
The youngsters proved to be difference-makers in Saturday's match as Bassett, who was making his USMNT debut, finished the night with the game-winning goal in the 89th minute to give the U.S. its record-setting 17th win of the calendar year.
While Saturday's match featured a mostly domestic-based squad and allowed some fresh faces an opportunity to impress, the miscues and missed opportunities highlight how important the team's international players are to its success.
Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Zack Steffen (Manchester City), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Sergino Dest (Barcelona), Brenden Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg) and Timothy Weah (Lille) were absent from the roster, though its understandable as they're in the midst of their respective leagues' seasons overseas.
The U.S. is expected to have its full roster for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers El Salvador, Canada and Honduras beginning next month. The Americans are currently second in the CONCACAF qualifying standings with 15 points behind first-place Canada.
The top three teams in CONCACAF automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the fourth-place team has to compete in an intercontinental playoff.
United States, Jamaica Play to 1-1 Draw in 2022 World Cup Qualifier
Nov 16, 2021
United States' Tim Weah celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Jamaica during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Kingston, Jamaica, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
The United States men's national team couldn't build off its win over Mexico, managing only a 1-1 draw against Jamaica in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier.
Timothy Weah gave the Americans an early lead in Kingston, Jamaica, but Michail Antonio responded with the equalizer a 11 minutes later for the home team.
Chances were limited for both teams beyond that with just four combined shots on goal across the 90 minutes.
Jamaica appeared to score the winning goal in the 84th minute on a corner kick, although the referee called it back for a foul.
The Americans were without midfielder Weston McKennie and defender Miles Robinson because of suspensions, while Christian Pulisic was only a substitute as he works his way back from an ankle injury. The short-handed squad was unable to muster much offense as it settled for the tie.
The United States now has 15 points through eight matches, which could be enough for first place in the CONCACAF table depending on Canada's match against Mexico.
The squad also only has one win and two draws through four road matches this qualifying cycle, continuing the same struggles from four years ago away from home.
Despite concerns about a flat start after an emotional game a few days earlier, the United States impressed with quality passing and a lot of aggressiveness.
Weah needed just 11 minutes to get his team a 1-0 lead thanks to a strong finish in the box:
Tim Weah finishes off a lovely team goal from the USMNT 😤
The Reggae Boyz kept the pressure on but couldn't secure the second goal for the upset win.
CONCACAF World Cup qualifying will now be on hold until Jan. 27 when the United States hosts El Salvador. The squad is also scheduled to face Bosnia-Herzegovina in an international friendly on Dec. 18, though that will most likely feature domestic players.
United States Outlasts Costa Rica for 2-1 Win in 2022 World Cup Qualifying
Oct 14, 2021
COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 13: Sergiño Dest #2 of United States celebrates with his teammate Yunus Musah #6 after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers match between United States and Costa Rica at Lower.com Field on October 13, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
Three days after a disappointing loss to Panama, the United States men's national team bounced back with a 2-1 win over Costa Rica in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier.
Costa Rica scored just one minute into the game, stunning the home crowd at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.
Sergino Dest responded with an incredible goal in the 25th minute, while Timothy Weah helped put the United States in front in the 66th minute:
It went into the stat sheet as an own goal by Costa Rica goalkeeper Leonel Moreira, who entered the game at halftime in place of Paris Saint-Germain stopper Keylor Navas. The starter suffered an adductor injury, via ESPN's Jeff Carlisle, which turned out to be significant in the match.
Team USA was still the more aggressive team in the match, controlling 64 percent of possession while outshooting Costa Rica 12-3
The United States now has 11 points through six matches in CONCACAF qualifying, keeping it among the top three in the table.
It was far from a perfect match, although there was a lot to like from the American performance.
Dest provided the biggest highlight of the game, firing a rocket from the edge of the box with his left foot:
The sluggish starts have been a calling card for the United States throughout qualifying, and that was certainly the case Wednesday, giving up a goal in the first minute.
Keysher Fuller put his foot on a cross that bounced past Zack Steffen in net:
The 1-0 scoreline created plenty of tension among the USMNT fanbase, but the players responded well with a relentless attack that featured six first-half shots with three on goal.
The United States had only five shots all game in the loss to Panama, zero on net.
Costa Rica had few first-half chances offensively after the opening goal, with the best opportunity in the box stopped by a sliding Chris Richards. The Ticos argued for a penalty on the tackle, but it wasn't given.
Miles Robinson then made up for his own mistake in the second half by tracking back for a tackle:
Costa Rica simply couldn't break through for a second goal, providing the chance for the United States to eventually take the lead.
The midfield trio of Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Yunus Musah helped control the action for the Americans, while Dest was extremely effective down the right flank. It was enough to pull out a win and come away with an important three points.
For a young team that haven’t had many if any moments like tonight, it says a lot how they reacted after that early goal. Fantastic strike from Dest and the @USMNT get a big 3 points even with some nervy moments and mistakes. 👊🏼💪🏼 #USMNT
It's another important stepping stone toward potentially qualifying for the World Cup, although the team will have its biggest test to date in its next match.
The United States will host Mexico on Nov. 12 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
