2012 Summer Olympics Recap: Day 2 — France Upsets US Swimmers in 4×100 Relay
Upsets and world records ruled the day on Day 2 of competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Here’s a brief recap of Sunday’s action:
France upset the US men’s swim team in the 4×100 freestyle relay despite both Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte swimming for the US. Phelps helped extend the US lead in the second leg of the race, but Yannick Agnel of France caught, and then surpassed, Lochte in the final leg to give France the gold.
Defending world all-around gymnastics champion Jordyn Wieber of the US failed to make the finals of the women’s all-around competition. Wieber was edged out by teammate Aly Raisman, who will join American Gabby Douglas and the rest of the qualifiers vying for the all-around title.
American swimmer Dana Vollmer won the 100-meter butterfly in a world record time of 55.98 seconds, while South Africa’s Cameron van der Burgh set a world mark of 58.46 seconds, as she captured gold in the 100-meter breaststroke. After winning the gold medal in women’s skeet shooting on Sunday with an Olympic record score of 99, Kimberly Rhode became the first American to medal in five straight Olympics.
Other US medal winners were divers Kelci Bryant and Abby Johnston, who earned a silver medal in the women’s 3-meter springboard synchro; swimmer Allison Schmitt, who captured silver in the women’s 400-meter individual medley, and swimmer Brendan Hansen, who earned bronze in the men’s 100-meter breaststroke.
In preliminary action, Kevin Durant scored 22 points, as the US men’s basketball team defeated France, 98-71, on Sunday. Peter Varellas scored three goals, as the US men’s water polo team beat Montenegro, 8-7, while the US men’s volleyball team swept Serbia. In a huge upset, Honduras beat medal-favorite Spain in soccer, 1-0, eliminating the Spaniards from medal contention.
Overall Medal Leader Board
China — 12 medals
6 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze
United States — 11 medals
3 Gold, 5 Silver, 3 Bronze
Italy — 7 medals
2 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze
South Korea — 5 medals
2 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze
Japan — 5 medals
0 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze